programme, could become a vital tool in exploding the Island's drugs problem.

At the launch of the not-for-profit organisation at City Hall yesterday, Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall said Crime Stoppers could be effective in drugs intervention.

Just hours after Crime Stoppers went into operation yesterday, a first tip-off was received at 1:10 p.m. when a person was reported peddling drugs behind a bus layby.

Mr. Coxall said he had witnessed first hand the "astonishing successes'' of Crime Stoppers in Europe and in London in particular.

Crime Stoppers had proved particularly successful in solving difficult murders, he claimed.

Premier Dr. David Saul yesterday pledged Government's "unqualified support'' to the project which rewards witnesses to crimes and offers complete anonymity to prompt people too frightened or apathetic to come forward with information.

Dr. Saul also reiterated his promise to put drugs at the forefront of Government's agenda.

To make good his word, he pledged $50,000, the salary of possible 14th Cabinet minister, to the Police force with the aim of beating crime and drugs.

In highlighting the success of Crime Stoppers, Dr. Saul pointed to New York as an example of a place where five years ago crime was "deplorable'' and where people were mugged while their neighbours did nothing. But since then, crime had plummeted, he claimed. There was no reason the same should not happen in Bermuda, he added.

To assess Crime Stoppers' success locally he advised publicising present crime statistics and reviewing them in six month's time. He predicted they will have dropped.

Also addressing the 100-strong crowd of politicians, Police officers, members of the justice system and public, was Crime Stoppers Chairman Mr. McNeil Warner.

While once Bermuda was called the "Isles of Rest'', with the recent upsurge in crime and lawlessness against visitors and locals, it could soon be nicknamed the "Isles of Beasts'' he warned.

The key to the success of Crime Stoppers which has proved effective in beating crime in the United States, was its anonymity, he said. The telephone and an untraceable 800 number played a vital role.

Callers were assigned code numbers when they called in their tips. If the tip helped an investigation, a reward would be offered after the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors decided on a sum.

"We will no longer be held hostage to the crime sector,'' Mr. Warner said.

"Your call could be the missing link,'' he added.