Switch-on planned in under two weeks Fewer thefts from cars in central Hamilton Plan to install more cameras Hamilton's closed circuit cameras have already started cutting down crime in their vicinity -- before they have even been switched on.

But the hi-tech equipment will begin operating any day now -- definitely in time to catch Christmas high jinks in less than two weeks.

And authorities are already considering installing more equipment in other areas to combat crime and loutish behaviour.

Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt said yesterday he was pleased to read Police comments in The Royal Gazette that thieves had already shifted from the heart of Hamilton where the cameras were located.

Acting Superintendent Gertrude Barker said earlier this week that the bulk of robberies from unattended vehicles in Bermuda's central division had recently moved to the north of Hamilton where there were no cameras.

She said although there had been a recent jump in the number of cars hit in the lead up to Christmas -- 18 in ten days -- Police had also noticed fewer of the incidents in central Hamilton near the cameras. Mr. Sherratt said it seemed the mere presence of the cameras -- even though they were not on or being monitored by Police yet -- had deterred criminals.

"Maybe there's the perception that people had better not misbehave because of the cameras. It's an early sign that they can greatly reduce crime.'' He said the Corporation was looking at setting up more cameras around Hamilton to deter crime in the area all together rather than just moving it.

"What we've done so far is just phase one. Depending on the demand from businesses and residents we may install more particularly in the north of Hamilton.

"There's a common perception that there is a lot of crime in Court Street but currently we've only got one camera there and that's at the junction with Church Street overlooking the ATMs.'' "Other businesses will have to decide whether they want more cameras.'' About two years ago when the Corporation was first considering installing the cameras it approached several business representatives in the north of Hamilton but they were not keen on the idea, he said.

Since then some of those groups had done an about-face creating a "groundswell'' of support.

"We had some meetings with businesses and residents and the major issues they were concerned about was safety and security. Quite a lot of people said they would like closed circuit cameras in their areas.'' But he said it was vital they stopped short of encroaching on residents' rights or making them feel uncomfortable.

"Where the cameras are located now they are not near many homes but in the north of Hamilton there are a lot more homes.

"Before we do that we want to make sure people who live there want them.'' He said the cameras' exact effect on crime and anti-social behaviour would be assessed before more were installed.

"Then we'll be looking at other areas of the city -- north Hamilton, as well as more to the east and the west, between the central area and the Pits Bay Road area where there tends to be a bit of a handbag snatching problem.'' GOVERNMENT GVT