Tue, 2024-10-01

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS), in partnership with Hamilton Princess, is excited to re-launch the BPS Bermuda Sports Superstars cards series!

Originally introduced in the 1980s and released approximately every 10 years, these sports cards feature notable local athletes from a variety of sports, with inspiring personal quotes. The 2024 series features Bermuda Sports Legends as well as Superstars.

The aim of this initiative, which continues with today’s 1st October 2024 launch, is to engage Bermuda’s young people through local sporting heroes, while promoting positive interactions between our youth and police officers.

Hamilton Princess and the Green family approached the BPS with the idea of reintroducing the Bermuda Sports Superstars cards. They were keen to assist with not only producing the sports cards, but modernising them.

While primary and middle school students are the main focus of this community outreach, any young person interested in collecting the sports cards is more than welcome to engage with a police officer or visit any police station to start their collection.

Over the next two weeks, uniformed officers will be attending school assemblies to promote the initiative and hand out cards to school-selected students.

Officers will also visit schools during lunch breaks, youth community centres, and other youth gathering spots, fostering positive interactions while distributing the cards.

We encourage our youth to actively seek out police officers throughout the island to collect all 44 cards, which will be released between October 2024 and May 2025.

A new set of six cards will be introduced each month, adding an element of discovery and excitement, motivating our youth to engage with police officers in a positive way.

The first cards are now available for collection at Hamilton Police Station, with Somerset, and Southside Police Stations scheduled to follow soon.

Stay tuned to BPS social media (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter/X) for the latest updates!

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Tue, 2024-10-01

On Monday September 30th officers from the Specialist Investigations Unit, and Task Force conducted an operation that resulted in the arrests of three suspects – a 35-year-old male, a 19-year-old male and a 27-year-old-male. A fourth suspect, a 29-year-old male, is being sought in connection with this matter.

During the operation, officers seized two firearms, a quantity of ammunition as well as a large quantity of controlled drugs, with a street value of over $700,000.

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith of the Specialist Investigations Unit, stated: “The seizure of these two firearms brings to fourteen the number of these deadly weapons taken off the street by police in a 10 month period. This seizure of these two firearms as well as ammunition and illegal drugs is quite significant and would have prevented severe injury or, loss of life.”

“It is also testament to the commitment and determination of officers of your Bermuda Police Service, as well as our colleagues at sister agency, Bermuda Customs Department, to protecting our community against the dangers posed by individuals who choose to become involved in illicit and criminal activity.”

Convictions for these offences carry a minimum sentence of ten years for the firearms and ammunition and a maximum life sentence for drugs possession.

Court appearances in relation to this matter are anticipated in due course.

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Tue, 2024-10-01

Acting Superintendent Robert Cardwell, Tactical Support Division - By design, it was hoped that increased traffic enforcement through Operation Vega, would have had an impact on road traffic collisions (RTCs) and reduced the number of traffic offences.

However, this has not proven to be the case, with between 4 and 6 RTCs being reported daily and reported traffic offences increasing.

The majority of RTCs are single vehicle, followed by RTCs involving two or more vehicles. The causes of collisions are often avoidable. Unfortunately, most vehicle collisions are due to unsafe driving and riding habits like inattention, speeding and driving without due care and attention. Lower speeds mean fewer collisions while reaction times are increased, if traveling at a lower speed.

Impaired driving is also a significant cause of collisions. Impaired driving numbers continue at a high rate. Individuals who engage in this practice risk not only their own lives, but the lives of every other road user as well. The culture of impaired driving in Bermuda is an unfortunate situation that policing alone will not get rid of. If you have been drinking, do not drive or ride. Road safety must be taken seriously and all road users must take responsibility for their driving behaviour.

Cellular phone use while driving remains a common offence. Using a cellular phone while operating a vehicle is a distraction and the signs are clear when a person does this. These include suddenly swerving, travelling at a very low rate of speed and disobeying traffic signs and signals. If you are driving, put the phone down. This is a simple undertaking. If your phone rings and you must answer the call, pull over to the side of the road in a safe place to take the call.

The Bermuda Police Service remains steadfast in its mission to make Bermuda safer. This includes on the roads.  To prevent a collision slow down, always drive sober, do not drive when stressed or tired, put your phone down and please wear your seatbelt and fasten your helmet.

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Tue, 2024-10-01

In recent weeks, there have been a number of reports of cars being stolen from locations across the island.

Prevention and deterrence are the best advice for all motor vehicle owners to adhere in order to not become a victim of vehicular theft.

The Bermuda Police Services advises that you implement, where possible, the following measures to prevent against falling victim to vehicle theft.

Keeping your doors locked is the first step in deterring a thief. It's good to get into the habit of double-checking that your vehicle's windows and doors are closed before leaving your car unattended.

Never leave your keys in the ignition and also, do not leave your car running, even if you're just going into a store for a quick errand. A running vehicle may be an easy target for a thief, especially if it is unattended or unlocked.

Keep your windows closed completely. A thief can simply reach into your car through an open window taking what they can reach or unlocking the door to gain full access to your vehicle and everything in it.

If you can, avoid parking in areas that are poorly lit or places that are not immediately seen by passers-by. Parking under a light and in a well-trafficked area, may be deter a thief if they know they can easily be seen.

It is recommended that you install an audible alarm system, if your car did not come with one. The noise emitted by an audible alarm if someone attempts to enter the vehicle, often the car's horn, attracts attention that may chase off a potential thief.

If your car is stolen, contact the police immediately.

MOTORCYCLES:

Motorcycles are most frequently taken from car parks around the City of Hamilton but also from residential neighbourhoods.

Typically, motorcycles are stolen for joy riding, stripping of their parts or in some instances, engaging in criminal activity.

Again, always remove keys from the ignition, even if you intend on being away from your bike for only a short time.

Remember to always use a secondary lock, that is, in addition to the handlebar lock.

Where possible, the secondary lock should be used to attach the motorcycle to a fixed object.

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Thu, 2024-09-26

Shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, police, Bermuda Fire and Rescue along with Emergency Medical Services, attended a serious road traffic collision involving a motor car and two motorcycles near the junction of Ord Road and Norden Lane, Paget.

Reports indicate the motorcar driven by a 64-year-old female, exited a private driveway and made a right turn to head east along Ord Road when a collision occurred with a motorcycle ridden by a 28-year-old male traveling in the opposite direction.

The motorcycle rider then collided with a utility pole and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, to the right side of his body.

A second motorcycle ridden by a 20-year-old male also struck the motorcar resulting in minor damage to both vehicles.

Neither the motorcar driver nor the rider of the second motorcycle appeared to have been injured.

The roadway was closed to vehicular traffic for approximately two hours while the collision scene was processed.

The Bermuda Police Service wishes to thank the public for their patience and cooperation during this temporary road closure.

An investigation into this incident is now underway and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Jonathan Wood on 515-2157 or, via email, jwood@bps.bm. You may also call the main police number 295-0011 or, the non-emergency reporting number, 211.

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Thu, 2024-09-26

The Bermuda Police Service wishes to thank those members of the public who have so far come forward in relation to the firearms incident which occurred on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Quarry Hill Road Warwick and which left a 48-year-old male with gunshot wounds.

While a suspect has been arrested, the investigation into that matter remains ongoing and we continue to appeal for anyone with information to get in contact with us.

We urge you to do so by calling the investigating officer Detective Sergeant, Anneka Donawa, on 717-2250 or via email, adonawa@bps.bm. You may also contact Detective Chief Inspector, Derricka Burns, on 717-0921 or via email, dburns@bps.bm.

Alternatively, call 211 or, the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. Of course, if you’d prefer, please share the information with a police officer you know, or, get the information to us by using the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

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Wed, 2024-09-25

The rider of a motorcycle involved in a collision with a tractor trailer truck around 9am Monday, 23rd September 2024, at the junction of Middle Road and South Road in Southampton, remains hospitalised.

The injured man, believed to be a 67-year-old Sandys parish resident, is understood to be recovering with non-life threatening injuries.

Inquiries regarding this collision continue.

Any witnesses that have not already come forward, are now encouraged to call Constable Jamieko Smith on 211, or e-mail jamieko.smith@bps.bm.

Alternatively, members of the public with relevant information can share it through the Bermuda Police Service community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm, or by speaking with a police officer they know.

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Tue, 2024-09-24

Reported Armed Robbery

Around 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024, police responded to a reported armed robbery at Mr. Chicken Express on Watlington Road East, Devonshire.

On arrival officers were informed that a man had forced his way into the establishment through a back door and brandished a knife before removing a draw containing a quantity of cash from the cash register.

The suspect made good his escape on a black motorcycle. He was last seen at the junction of Upland Street and Middle Road, where he made a right turn and rode off in an easterly direction.

The suspect is described as a dark-skinned male, approximately 6’ 4” in height, slim built, wearing dark coloured clothing and a black helmet with a dark visor.

An investigation into this matter is now underway and anyone with information or who may have been in the area of Watlington Road East, Upland Street or Middle Road, Devonshire, between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Friday September 20, 2024 and witnessed any suspicious persons or suspicious activity, to please contact Detective Constable Zaakira Lee, of the Criminal Investigations Unit, on 515-2551 or, via email, zlee@bps.bm. You may also contact Acting Detective Sergeant Assad Akle on 515–2547 or aakle@bps.bm.

If you’d prefer, please call 211, the main police number, 295-0011 or, the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477.

Alternatively, you are encouraged to provide the information by speaking with a police officer you know or, via the police community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

Reported Stabbing

Shortly after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Police attended a report of a male at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), seeking treatment for an apparent stab wound.

On arrival, officers spoke with the 25-year-old victim who stated that sometime between 9:00 pm and 9:15 p.m. on the said date, he was in the area of Glebe Road, Pembroke, when he was assaulted by a group of individuals.

During the incident, he suffered an injury to his upper torso and was transported to KEMH, where he was attended to for his injury which was deemed non-life-threatening. At last check he remained at the hospital under observation, on a general ward.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the main police number, 295-0011 or 211.

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Mon, 2024-09-23

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can confirm that over the last twelve months, a total of 12 firearms and quantities of ammunition have been seized by officers.

Forensic examinations on these firearms have confirmed their use in crimes that are currently under investigation. Ballistic tests on a number of these firearms, have linked their use to multiple incidents. Ongoing investigations have resulted in the arrests of a number of suspects, as demonstrated earlier today with a 42 year old man being charged before the courts for firearm possession.

The seizure of these firearms has at the very least prevented the commission of serious acts of criminality and prevented possible serious injury. More importantly, prevented any potential loss of life.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Antoine Daniels, said – “The BPS wish to thank those individuals who have so far come forward to provide information which has assisted in the removal of these dangerous weapons from our streets, thereby making our communities that much safer. Your courage in providing such information is to be applauded and has proven invaluable in our ongoing efforts to rid our island home of this scourge.”

“However, we remain concerned that there are still illegal firearms out there, which the criminal element continues to seek opportunities to use to further their nefarious activity.”

Mr. Daniels asserted, “I am confident in the belief that with the continuing partnership between the community and your Bermuda Police Service, there will be further successes of this nature. Again, thank you for your assistance and let’s continue to strengthen this relationship, in which we all seek to make Bermuda safer.”

Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms is urged to contact, Police calling the main police number, 295-0011.You may also call 211, speak with another officer you know or use the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

Alternatively, we encourage you to call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. You could earn a reward of up to $5,000 for providing the information.

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Mon, 2024-09-23

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) continues to urge residents, particularly senior citizens, to remain vigilant regarding online scams and phone scams.

In three recently reported incidents, one local senior citizen was apparently contacted through Facebook, while two other local senior citizens are understood to have received random phone calls. Combined, the three senior citizens involved reportedly were defrauded of approximately $685,000.

It is believed that the senior citizen contacted via social media received a message that appeared to come from someone known to them, containing specific instructions. Purchase Apple gift cards, photograph the back with the redemption code visible and send the pictures to an e-mail address provided in the message.

The two senior citizens that received unsolicited phone calls were led to believe the caller was a local bank employee contacting them because their accounts had been compromised. In one instance, it was reported that the senior citizen was persuaded to give the caller their bank information. In the other, it was reported that the senior citizen was persuaded to allow the caller remote access to their computer.

All of these scenarios are tactics regularly used by scammers to defraud unsuspecting individuals.

Renewed Practical Scam Prevention Advice

Avoid social media messages with instructions to redeem gift cards or send cash.

Don’t install any computer software recommended by an unknown caller.

Hang up on callers who ask for personal or bank information and either call the specific business to confirm if there is a problem, or contact the police for advice.

Check your bank account(s) regularly for any unusual activity.

Report any suspected fraud to the relevant bank and the police immediately.

Family members and friends are once again urged to speak with their senior citizen relatives about how to avoid being defrauded, as seniors are often targeted by swindlers.

To make a police report regarding suspected fraud, please call 211, or visit the BPS community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm/.

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