Government is working to address the issue of crime, according to Michael Dunkley.

While the Premier said the crime rates did increase in 2015, he said the increase comes in the wake of a historic low in 2014.

Noting the recent spike in crime since the Christmas period, he said the public were “rightly concerned”, adding that it is a minority of people who are causing the majority of issues.

“Some of the commentary on this increase in serious crime has focused on the continuing economic challenges in our community,” Mr Dunkley said.

“As I have said before, the economic decline this government is required to reverse is perhaps the single most important task we have. While the successes we have seen and those we can forecast are beginning to reach families in need across the island, our commitment remains to bringing relief to those that need it most in a sustainable and lasting way with the sense of urgency that the situation demands.

“When confronted by adversity, we channel our frustrations into innovation, self-help, demanding the best of those who we have elected to serve us and ensuring that the most vulnerable in our society are taken care of first. So we can all agree that resorting to violence, whether out of anger or frustration, or committing crimes by anyone against their fellow Bermudians in the name of meeting a desperate need is simply unacceptable.”

Mr Dunkley noted the work of Team Street Safe, the Inter-Agency Gang Task Force, the Inter-Agency Gang Enforcement Team and the Inter-Agency Community Response Team in identifying the issues that lead to gang violence and working to prevent it.

He also reiterated the need for members of the public to come forward and assist police with their investigations.

“The strength of our community is shown when people come forward if they have witnessed a crime, have information that can lead to an arrest or assist the police in their investigations,” he said.

“These courageous acts have proven successful in the past and ordinary citizens continue to have a role to play in ensuring that criminals are brought to justice.

“This government will continue to use every available means to promote positive lifestyle choices to our young people, whose formative years must be devoted to education, sports and strong family life.

“We will continue the effort to prove that the gang lifestyle is no life at all and that this society needs every Bermudian fully engaged and involved in making this country successful.”

• For the full ministerial statement, click on the PDF link under “Related Media”.