bid to slash a dramatic rise in thefts on visitors.

And Police say that some hotels are not doing enough to prevent opportunist thieves from breaking into hotels.

The recommendation comes following a spate of break-ins during the holiday weekend.

Thieves struck at the Ariel Sands Hotel in Devonshire, the Newstead Guest House in Paget and the Pink Beach Club in Smith's, getting away with a stash of wallets, cash and credit cards.

And last week four visitors, all staying at different properties, lost valuables to sneak thieves. In most cases the burglars had been able to walk into the apartments in the middle of the night after sliding doors had been left open.

Police crime prevention officers have repeatedly advised hotel bosses to warn their guests of the importance of security.

But they feel more drastic measures are now required to halt the rise in crime.

Sgt. Chris Wilcox of the Bermuda Police Service said: "We're trying to promote the idea of having safes in every guest room.

"Although hotels have a safe at the front desk, most visitors don't like leaving valuables there. But, so far, there's no record of anyone breaking into a locked hotel room safe.'' Police have made other anti-crime recommendations to hoteliers, including giving a verbal reminder of the importance of security to guests when they first book in, putting up crime prevention posters and leaving pamphlets in all guest rooms.

"But we can't enforce these and some hotels do more than others to deter criminal activity,'' Sgt. Wilcox said.

"Whenever there's a burglary at a hotel we get them to fill out a form, which includes asking how many of these methods they use to warn visitors. The average is about two.'' Last night hotel chiefs said the installation of safes was something they were prepared to consider.

But they also said that Police had to play a part in stopping criminals from targeting hotels.

Bermuda Hoteliers Association Executive Vice President John Harvey said: "Clearly it's an initiative that we will look at but I don't think it will be the panacea.

Hoteliers encouraged to install room safes after break-ins "Under law we have an obligation to provide a safe for all guest's goods and valuables -- safes in individual rooms could be the next step forward and we would be willing to look at that measure, it's something we've got to revue.

"But my experience is that some guests leave their valuables out on the bedside table whether there's a safe in the room or not.

"Hoteliers encourage a Police presence on their properties to deter crime -- preventing crime is a joint effort with the Police and hoteliers.''