further meetings planned, The Royal Gazette has learned.

After criticism in the media and from the public, the last meeting concluded four weeks ago with a reduction in numbers as Police and community negotiators were near a breakthrough in ending tit for tat violence which had raged through the summer.

A Police spokeswoman denied the breakdown was solely the result of media coverage and said the Service was still willing to act as a facilitator to peace.

During the summer months there had been a series of attacks between young men from the western parishes and from Pembroke.

At one point a roving band of young men smashed up the Pembroke Hamilton Club bar in Warwick and then caused havoc in Ord Road, in Paget and Warwick.

During the first meetings the men present strongly denied they were "gang'' members, and said they wanted to warn teens who had been getting into fights about the effects of violence.

The spokeswoman said: "The scheduled meetings facilitated by Police have not continued.

"While Police remain committed to effecting a long-term resolution to violence by youth on youth,'' she continued, "it remains within the purview of those groups concerned to make a similar commitment.'' In response to questions about media coverage scaring away participants, she said: "While any negative slant to a positive process is to be regretted, the media cannot and should not be seen as solely responsible for the break-off.

"Police are of the opinion that any commitment to the process is just that,'' she added, "a commitment regardless of those who may seek to detract from the merits of the process.

"In any event, Police will be more than willing to be available as facilitators once again, if those involved wish to resume the process.''