Wheel shooting was laid bare yesterday.

Ambulance drivers were severely hampered by an enraged 700-strong mob outside the Court Street club, The Royal Gazette was told.

They ran the gauntlet of knives, bottles, and outbreaks of fighting, said head ambulance man Mr. Raymond Santucci.

"While they had no problem getting to the scene, they were really slowed up getting away.'' Talks are being held on how to beef up protection for ambulance men and allow them to go about their business unhindered.

It has also emerged firemen called out to deal with a blazing car were advised by Police to hold off -- until the area was safe.

"We were advised to wait at the junction of Dundonald and Court Street until the area had been secured,'' said a Fire Service spokesman. Meanwhile, it was back to business yesterday for the Spinning Wheel -- two days after Sunday morning's shooting of two teenagers, and the torching of a nearby car by an angry crowd.

Gone was the Police security fencing which had been put up around the premises as CID officers scoured inside for clues.

When a Royal Gazette reporter went to the club in the morning, cleaners were giving the reopened building a scrub-down.

And in the early evening, there was the usual smattering of customers enjoying a quiet drink before trade hotted up.

Despite the recent incident, conversation was dictated by the TV in the corner of the bar, and news of the crash of American Eagle jet 4184 en route from Indianapolis to Chicago.

More security needed for ambulance drivers Manager Mr. Gladwyn Ming declined to comment on the shooting, and the Police investigation into the running of the premises.

"Now is not a good time,'' he said.

It was shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday the club was caught up in drama when a gunman pumped five bullets into 19-year-old Ian DeSilva/Simmons, of Hamilton Parish.

Last night he remained in "critical, but stable'' condition in the intensive care unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

There was better news of 16-year-old Jermaine Lovell, of Fruitland Lane, Pembroke.

The youngster, who was shot in the hand, has now been discharged.

Yesterday ambulance men held a meeting to discuss the incident, and the problems they faced.

Mr. Santucci, the chief emergency medical technician, said ambulance drivers had been naturally concerned for their safety, particularly as "temperatures rose'' among the crowd.

"They were very concerned about the fighting, and the knives,'' he said.

He added people also tended to get a "bit aggressive'' as ambulance men went about their business.

"They don't feel we are moving quickly enough.'' But by surrounding his drivers and heckling them, people only "slowed things up'', said Mr. Santucci.

"We had meetings today, and will meet with the director of the emergency department over how best we can deal with these issues.'' Mr. Santucci said ambulance men would probably also consult with the Police.

A Fire Service spokesman said it was wise to rely on the advice of Police when handling an emergency.

Security, after all, was a Police matter.

Eye-witnesses of the fire-bombing, told The Royal Gazette Police held back when confronted by the crowd.

"They appeared to be afraid,'' one woman claimed.

But at a Press conference on Monday, Acting Police Commissioner Alex Forbes defended the actions of his officers.

He said they had acted appropriately in the circumstances.

Sunday's shooting has sent shock waves through the community. And it happened amid reports -- so far unsubstantiated -- of firearms pouring into the Island.

According to one rumour, some 60 firearms were brought in through the airport recently.

And another report suggested hundreds of firearms had been smuggled in over the last two weeks.

This week Government renewed its pledge to stamp on crime.

"The Government and Government House are working very closely on the issue of crime and policing,'' said Deputy Premier the Hon. Irving Pearman.

"I am meeting frequently with the acting Commissioner of Police, and I've just come back from a meeting at Government House.

"It is the commitment of this Government to give the resources needed to ensure that crime and violent crime in particular is dealt with.'' Police were having "quite a good success rate in apprehending people involved'' in violent crime, he noted.