Increase in Acquisitive Crime
Tue, 2012-03-06
Acting Superintendent Nicholas Pedro, Officer in Charge: Serious Crime Division - The Bermuda Police Service is keen to 
raise awareness about an increase in what we term ‘acquisitive’ crime.
‘Acquisitive crime’ covers crime where items are stolen or acquired fraudulently. This includes theft, burglary, robbery, and fraud. Locally we have also seen an increase in the circulation of counterfeit Bermuda currency.
Recent figures show that the rate of burglaries is currently running at about 25% above what the level they were at for the whole of Quarter 1 in 2011.
To date in 2012, there have been 233 burglaries reported to Police, compared with 187 burglaries for the same period last year.
The Bermuda Police Service wishes to remind the public that there are many things they themselves can do to prevent these types of crimes being committed against them.
There are simple steps that home owners or occupiers can take to ensure that their home is not selected by opportunistic criminals who are looking for insecurities & opportunities that enable them to enter your home. Our website offers plenty of advice regarding the use of effective lighting, securing doors & windows, and trimming of shrubbery to deny criminals cover. Additionally, members of the public can obtain FREE crime prevention advice from the Bermuda Police Service Crime Prevention Unit who can attend your residence and provide written feedback on security enhancements.
We are also seeing an increasing trend of robberies where complainants have reported that firearms have been displayed or threatened. Since last Friday, we have seen three incidents where firearms have been allegedly displayed during the course of robberies.
I wish to reassure the public that the Bermuda Police Service is utilizing its full complement of resources to address these crimes, including the addition of further armed officers on patrol, & enhancement of regular patrols.
Members of the public should take steps to ensure that they are maximizing their own safety to prevent themselves becoming a target for criminals. Advice on our website is available for persons to peruse at length to ensure that they protect themselves and properties. However persons should always take steps to be aware of their surroundings, & avoid dimly lit public areas whilst alone, that leave them vulnerable.
The Serious Crime Unit has taken on responsibility for investigating these most recent robberies, headed by a Senior Investigating Officer.
A number of investigative leads are being pursued, and forensic evidence from each of these incidents is being processed & analyzed.
Public Assistance
Burglaries
In particular, we are keen to speak with any member of the public that may have information on persons committing burglaries. There is no one description that links the increase in burglaries, suffice to say significant quantities of cash, jewelry, electronics, and other valuable items are being stolen.
The Bermuda Police Service is busy. To date in 2012, 14 persons have been charged with burglary offences, with a total of 29 people having been arrested by police on suspicion of burglary across the island, since the beginning of the year.
The area criminal investigation units are also actively seeking other suspects currently wanted for burglary offences and acquisitive crimes.
Robberies
In relation to the armed robberies, we are keen to speak with anyone that has information in respect of:-
- Two suspects in dark or black clothing & shoes on a black and red step thru motorcycle
- Both were wearing dark crash helmets
- Alleged to be in possession of a chrome or silver coloured firearm
- Both subjects are black males in their late teens or twenties
- Between 5’8” & 5’10” tall
- One was wearing a red bandana over his face
Two incidents occurred last night involving suspects who brandished what is believed to be a firearm whilst robbing persons, one in Smith's, the second in Southampton parish. Whilst we have not concluded that these events are connected, we are examining possible links between the two, and any such links will be confirmed or negated through the process of the investigation.
We are seeing evidence that a small percentage of people are continuing to commit a disproportionate amount of crime. It will require the combined efforts of the police and the members of our community to prevent criminals from hampering our quality of life.
The critical factor in all of these incidents is the need to get assistance from the public. In recent criminal trials we have seen the benefit from members of the public coming forward to provide evidence or information that has assisted in bringing offenders to justice and I would urge anyone that has information regarding any of these events to contact the Bermuda Police Service directly on 295-0011, 247-1185 (Serious Crime Unit) or on the confidential & independent Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.
Members of the public can also “tip off” the police regarding persons they believe may be acting suspiciously in their neighbourhood, and police will attend to check on the actions of the suspicious persons. These types of calls have proven very helpful in the past & quite often do not require the caller(s) to attend court & give evidence.
