A new community-based assault on crime kicked off yesterday with a top-level think-tank.

And Premier Pamela Gordon said: "The community is an important part of the team.

"We are really not at a time when should be talking about what we can do for you, but about what we can do together.'' But Gordon warned: "We must all take responsibility for getting things done.'' And she pledged "a frontal attack'' crime and drugs in which the community would be "an important part of the team.'' Ms Gordon was speaking as the round-table talks involving Government Ministers, Government House, Police and the Prison Service got underway at her official residence, Camden, yesterday.

Attending were Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess, Tourism Minister David Dodwell, Minister without Portfolio Kim Young, Acting Governor Peter Willis, as well as Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay, Prison Commissioner Ed Dyer and Attorney General Elliot Mottley.

Ms Gordon said: "The point is we that we are all here to discuss ideas which may help.'' The Premier announced in June she would call a summit involving every sector of society in a bid to step up the war on drugs and crime.

She said yesterday: "There is enough work and enough credit to go around and as a result of that we will all benefit.'' The Premier added she will hold a press conference this morning to discuss the results of the think-tank session in detail.

It is understood, however, that cooperation with overseas enforcers as seen in the street-level drug-busting Operation Cleansweep and the arrest last week of alleged cruise ship drug couriers and their claimed Bermuda contacts will continue.

She added: "I want to make sure that we can all live together with peace, hope and opportunity.

"This initiative will benefit all of these groups and more -- it will take control of our neighbourhoods and offer help to those heading down the wrong and making us all suffer.'' Earlier this week, Ms Gordon hosted a lunch at Camden for more than 20 officials from groups which work with the elderly.

Among those attending were representatives from Age Concern, the Health Department and the Admiralty House Community Centre.

Also involved in the new initiative are representatives of the churches and community groups.