his voice to the general concern over growing violence against visitors.

He said it was high time for action but urged the involvement of the entire community in addressing the problem -- not just the hotels and Police.

However, Mr. Harvey assured member hotels would do all they could to protect their guests from robbers.

"We have a responsibility to our guests (to ensure they are safe) and we will rise to that challenge,'' he said. "No one wants these crimes against visitors.'' He said the BHA wrote to Government expressing concern about the problem two years ago after it learned hotel thieves were committing further crimes against visitors while out on bail.

A letter was circulated throughout the judiciary, he said. However, he could not say whether anything came of it because he had not kept a daily eye on the courts.

He did not believe crimes against visitors had reached a crisis point, however, the frequency of attacks on them in recent months was cause for alarm.

He agreed with the Acting Premier's suggestion that staff could play a role by gently advising guests to take care after dark and secure their belongings.

But in cases such as Pitts Bay Road, where a number of attacks seemed to be taking place, there may be a need for more Police patrols, he felt.

As for hoteliers, "They have to keep protecting their properties,'' he said.

Thieves were often very clever, he said, and knew the lay-outs of the properties they were targeting.

"Many crimes in this country are crimes of opportunity,'' he added. "We have to address this issue as an entire community so we are able to scurry out these characters. Everyone has a responsibility to discourage crimes against visitors. You don't have to have a crystal ball to realise this can negatively impact on business.'' Acting Premier the Hon. J. Irving Pearman said this week the crime problem was of "grave concern to Government at the highest level'' and action was being taken to stamp it out.

He would be making an announcement on how Government planned to approach the problem by the end of the week.

Meanwhile, the Opposition issued a statement saying Government ought to be alarmed over the amount of visitor crime.

Former United Bermuda Party senator the Hon. Michael Winfield has called for the appointment of a Cabinet committee to address crime and tourism.

Hoteliers Mr. C.W. (Toppy) Cowen and Grotto Bay Hotel resident manager Mr.

Clyde Darrell met with Mr. Pearman last week.