Expect high visibility police patrols at Ag Show

TUESDAY, APRIL 17: Police will conduct high visibility patrols throughout the Agricultural Exhibition to deter crime and reassure the public.

But Superintendent Martin Weekes, who will command the police operation at the massive event at the Botanical Gardens in Paget, said there would be fewer armed officers on duty than in some previous years.

He added that police, backed by armed officers and private security, who will provide metal detectors at entrances and a ring of CCTV cameras around the venue, would still be out in force.

Mr Weekes explained extra armed police were on duty at the Ag Show two years ago – but that was in response to specific intelligence and threats that violence could break out.

He added: “We increased the presence of armed officers because of that – we haven’t had the same threats, but there will be the usual amount of armed officers patrolling the grounds, although no more than usual for any event which attracts large numbers of people.

“We have done a threat assessment for this event and there is nothing to give us any concern.”

But Mr Weekes warned: “We will be cracking down on any anti-social behaviour which takes place at the event - any violence will be swiftly dealt with and offenders will see themselves in court if they attempt to disrupt this family event.”

Mr Weekes added that officers would be conducting high visibility patrols throughout the event to deter crime and reassure the public – and that private security hired for the event would be deploying CCTV cameras across the Ag Show venue.

Traffic police will be on duty at key points around the Botanical Gardens to assist show-goers and keep traffic heading elsewhere moving smoothly.

Mr Weekes added: “On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, I wish the entire community a pleasant, enjoyable and safe Exhibition.”

National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief told the Bermuda Sun last week that rings of steel thrown around known gang hotspots had cut down on violence in these areas – but could lead to gang hits being carried out on neutral ground.

In March, an attempted hit on a man in Reid Street in the early hours of the morning saw around five shots fired — with two bullets hitting a window in Sir John Swan’s Seon Place building.

Neither bullet penetrated the double-pane plate glass window, and no one was injured. One man has been charged and another remanded into custody in connection with the incident.

Last October, shots were fired in broad daylight at a man working at the roundabout on Trimingham Hill, in Paget.

No one was injured in the shooting, which happened around 2.20pm.

Mr Weekes said police were committed to combatting serious crime, wherever it happened.

He added: “It is true that we’ve heavily concentrated our resources in some areas. We will continue to target the areas where people are giving us the most problems and where the communities involved ask for our assistance.”

The Ag Show starts on Thursday and finishes on Saturday evening.

Traffic diversions will be in place around the Botanical Gardens, Point Finger Road, Berry Hill Road and South Road.