TV reconstructions are to be used to help solve Bermuda's most serious crimes, it was revealed yesterday.

Police Commissioner Colin Coxall said: "We will use actors to re-enact crimes and hopefully jog people's memories. They can then give us information if appropriate.'' But he stressed re-constructions would only be used in crimes which have a particular impact on the community.

The TV reconstruction technique has been used widely in the UK, Europe and the US.

The British Broadcasting Corporation's Crimewatch UK programme -- which uses reconstructions and attracts a huge audience -- has been credited with helping police solve several major crimes.

Mr. Coxall also revealed that Inspector Roseanda Jones is to take over as Crime Stoppers liaison officer for the Bermuda Police -- a role formerly filled by axed Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief.

The Royal Gazette understands that Mr. Perinchief is on leave until the start of January -- and is not expected to return to his post.

Mr. Coxall declined to comment on Mr. Perinchief's future. But he said Insp.

Jones -- recently appointed as second-in-command of the Drugs Squad -- was his personal choice for the Crime Stoppers role.

He said: "She is well-suited for this task -- she has a good CID background and the Crime Stoppers people are very happy that she should be acting as liaison officer.'' Crime Stoppers chief McNeill Warner said that the special telephone line had attracted a total of 82 calls -- 62 of them on drug-related crime -- since the scheme was launched.

Mr. Warner added a total of 33 people have been given code numbers and 15 cash awards have been paid out.

He declined to reveal the amounts paid -- but said rewards were on a scale ranging from $50 to $1,000, depending on the importance of information received.

Mr. Warner added: "Inspector Jones has worked extensively in the CID and, more importantly as far as Crime Stoppers is concerned, she served with Mr.

Perinchief when the programme was launched, so she is a very fitting person to succeed him.

"She is also second-in-command of the narcotics squad and, as we know, a lot of our calls have to do with drugs.'' Mr. Coxall added that it was very difficult to talk percentage points when assessing Crime Stoppers' impact on crime.

But he said: "There have been some good calls and crimes have been cleared up as a result of that. There have also been some drug seizures made.'' He added: "The whole basis of the Police strategy is community policing and I can't think of any better initiative to involve the community than Crime Stoppers.'' Mr. Warner said that Crime Stoppers was now a registered charity and appealed for public support to help the scheme to continue and expand its operations.

He said: "If any members of the public or businesses want to contribute, we would be very grateful.''