CCTV cameras in crime hot spots were put out of order this week because the power supply had been cut off.

New provider BAS Serco — which won the contract, worth $6.3 million of public money — did not return calls about the latest problem to hit the troubled installation programme.

However Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Wright said at 5pm on Thursday: “The Bermuda Police Service would like to inform the public that the power to the GET-owned CCTV poles was disconnected yesterday before the transfer of ownership of the poles had concluded.

“The transfer of ownership has now been completed and Belco have resumed powering the CCTV cameras that were temporarily without power. We wish to extend our thanks to GET Ltd, BAS Serco, and Belco for working expeditiously to resolve this issue.”

A spokeswoman for power firm Belco said: “We have been working with all parties to ensure we get power restored as quickly as possible.”

On Thursday, National Security Minister Michael Dunkley said: “There was an issue between the former CCTV company and the current one — I am thankful that has now been resolved.”

Mr Dunkley added that the camera network, under the separation of powers in the Bermuda Constitution, was an operational matter for the police service and its provider.

He said: “As a Minister, I am very clear I will not step over these boundaries.”

But he added that his Ministry would “help resolve issues if asked.”

“If BAS Serco asked for help, that would have been forthcoming,” Mr Dunkley said. “In spite of the problems with BAS Serco, I am confident we will manage them and have a good system.”

The new delay in the installation of the 150-camera network is the latest in a string of embarrassments to hit BAS Serco.

The firm failed to have the new network up and running by April 1, when the previous contract with GET Securities expired, and it was revealed earlier this month that an employee due to start work with police on the CCTV system had been arrested due to outstanding warrants for traffic offences.

Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said on Monday the new system was “substantially complete with a handful of cameras left to install over the next few days.”

And he added that “coverage is resuming” in hot spot areas, like Friswell’s Hill, St Monica’s Rd, Parsons Rd, North and South roundabout, Barnes Corner and the Paget traffic lights.

Mr DeSilva said the project — which will increase coverage from 86 cameras to 150 when it is complete — had been further delayed due to the need to bring in overseas technicians to work on the wireless network.

But he added that the technicians had now been cleared for work and were expected to arrive to complete the wireless system, which will use existing towers, by the end of the month.

And Mr DeSilva said that, once the backup work had been completed, the full complement of 150 cameras across the Island could be installed.

The new camera network will not only increase coverage, but will be linked wirelessly to a central control and include facial recognition and automatic number plate recognition.