Egg Throwing Incidents Reported Prior to Halloween

Monday, October 21,2024

As Halloween approaches, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) would like to remind the public that throwing eggs at vehicles, homes and businesses is potentially dangerous, as well as costly. Patrol officers have already responded to alleged incidents, the latest reported to be during the day on Sunday, 20th October 2024, in the Middle Road, Riviera Road Southampton area. The BPS reassures the community that its officers are prepared to use all lawful authority to deter and detect such acts of anti-social behaviour, with anyone caught engaging in egg throwing likely to be arrested. To help prevent this irresponsible activity and the need for police involvement, parents and shopkeepers are encouraged to be on the lookout for individuals, especially young persons, attempting to purchase unusually large quantities of eggs. As a reminder, residents and businesses can report any anti-social behaviour in their area by calling 211, or visiting the BPS online community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

Update: Female Motorcyclist Treated for Non-Life Threatening Injuries

Monday, October 21,2024

A two vehicle collision that occurred around 4:20pm Wednesday, 16th October 2024, on Middle Road in Southampton near the junction with South Road, resulted in a female motorcyclist receiving hospital treatment. The injured woman, believed to be a 25-year-old Southampton resident, is understood to have been transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance with non-life threatening injuries and later discharged, after appropriate medical care. Apparently, the driver of the car involved, believed to be a 31-year-old Sandys parish woman, was not hurt. The collision occurred when the car driver and motorcycle rider collided, travelling in opposite directions, in the area of Barnes Corner. Traffic diversions were necessary while the scene was processed. Any witnesses that have not already come forward are encouraged to call Constable Jennifer Suter on 211, or e-mail jsuter@bps.bm.

Cyber Security Awareness Month: Practical Advice & Prevention Tips

Tuesday, October 15,2024

With October designated “Cyber Security Awareness Month”, the Bermuda Police Service is once more reminding the public to be on the lookout and take preventive measures to avoid falling victim to cybercrime. Cybercrime encompasses a wide range of illegal activities conducted through the internet or other computer networks and can be broadly categorised into several types. These include: Hacking: Unauthorised access to computer systems, often leading to data breaches that compromise sensitive information such as personal details, financial records and corporate secrets. Phishing: Deceptive attempts to acquire sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity, typically through emails or fake websites, which may result in identity theft and financial loss. Malware: Malicious software, including viruses, worms, and ransomware that disrupts normal operations, damages systems or encrypts data for ransom, leading to significant financial costs and operational downtime. Denial of Service (DOS) attacks: Overloading a network or website to render it unavailable, causing disruptions for businesses and users alike and potentially leading to substantial revenue losses. Cyberstalking and Harassment: Using technology to stalk or harass individuals, which can have severe psychological impacts on victims and contribute to a climate of fear. Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith of the Bermuda Police Service Specialist Crime Unit stated: “The Bermuda Police Service is in the process of establishing a Cyber-Security Unit. This unit is being formed to address the rising number of cyber related crimes reported. The impact of cybercrime is profound, affecting individuals, businesses and governments. “From a local financial perspective, it has resulted in millions of dollars in losses. Not only from direct theft but also from recovery efforts and increased security measures. It undermines trust in digital systems, stifles innovation and poses significant risk to national security.” “As our reliance on technology continues to grow, the importance of robust security measures and public awareness becomes paramount in mitigating the risks associated with cyber-crime.” How to Spot Scams: Suspicious Emails, SMS, or WhatsApp messages • Look out for unexpected messages asking for personal or financial information. • Phishing emails often have poor spelling, odd greetings, or strange email addresses/telephone numbers. Urgency or Threats. • Scammers may say things like "Your account will be locked" or "Act now to avoid charges!" • Be cautious of messages that make you feel rushed or anxious. Unknown Links and Attachments. • Don’t click on unfamiliar links or open attachments from people you don’t know. • Always verify the sender before clicking. Too-good-to-be-true offers. • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Unsolicited or random offers for free gifts or large sums of money are often phishing attempts. Tips to Protect Yourself Online: • Never Share Your Passwords. Don’t share your passwords, especially through email or text. • Look for the Padlock Symbol. When shopping or banking online, make sure the website starts with "https" and has a padlock icon in the address bar. • Keep Your Software Up to Date.  Always update your phone, computer, and apps to protect against security threats. • Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a code from your phone or email. • Check if your e-mail has been breached. Visit  https://haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email address has been compromised in a data breach. What to do if you suspect you’ve been targeted or have become a victim. Don’t Panic. If you believe you’ve shared personal information with a bad actor, immediately change your passwords. Report It. • Let your bank or email provider know. They can help protect your accounts. • Report it to the Bermuda Police Service by sending an email at https://portal.police.bm • Run a Virus Scan. • If you clicked a suspicious link, use antivirus software to scan your device. For more information or assistance, visit us at https://portal.police.bm.

Witness Appeals Regarding Two Separate Wounding Incidents

Monday, October 14,2024

Shortly before 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 13, 2024, police responded to a reported assault at the Zen Lounge, Somerset Road, Sandys parish. Upon arrival, officers were informed a 35-year-old male had suffered a suspected stab wound to the upper torso. He was reportedly driven from the scene in a private vehicle, before being transferred to an ambulance which was already in the area responding to an unrelated medical incident. He was subsequently transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where, at last check, he continued to receive treatment for his injury which is considered life threatening. Around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, a 52-year-old male attended Hamilton Police Station to report that he was the victim of a wounding. He told officers that he was near the doorway to Spinning Wheel, when an unknown male described as tall, slim built and dark complexioned, made a comment to him. The suspect then allegedly pushed the 52-year-old male to the ground. Another male then pulled a machete from his waistband and assaulted the 52-year-old male, leaving him with a non-life-threatening injury to his right hand. He was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was attended to for his injury and discharged. Both matters are now under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the main police number 295-0011, 211 or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. If you’d prefer to, please share the information with a police officer you know or use the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

Recruitment for BPS Constables: Local Residents Encouraged to Apply

Friday, October 11,2024

Local residents who are looking for a career in law enforcement, with a desire to represent our community and assist in ‘Making Bermuda Safer’, are encouraged to apply for the post of Constable with the Bermuda Police Service (BPS). Applicants must: be between the ages of 19 and 49 years at the start of the contract; be in good physical and mental health; have a Bermuda School Diploma (BSD) or equivalent. Applications from resident non-Bermudian work permit holders, or their spouses who are permitted to seek employment in Bermuda, may be considered. Foreign nationals living outside Bermuda are not eligible for this recruitment process. Successful applicants must also pass the following BPS evaluations to be considered for an upcoming Recruit Foundation Course (RFC). Police Service Initial Recruitment Test (PIRT). Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT) – (Level 5.4 – 15 metre beep test). Security checks. Suitability testing. Psychological evaluations. Medical examinations (which includes BMI assessment). Assessment Board. The RFC lasts for six months with on the job training, academic modules, course work, exams, and practical exercises. The academic learning undertaken coincides with serving as a Student Police Officer, which involves active frontline duties for the Bermuda Police Service. All applications must be submitted online at https://govtcareers.gov.bm/. The deadline for applications is 7pm Friday, 25th October 2024. No hard copy applications will be accepted. Any queries should be sent via e-mail to recruiting@bps.bm.