Police: ‘No Major Acts Of Criminality’ On Holiday
The police thanked the “public for the support and cooperation provided our officers over the Bermuda Day holiday weekend” and said there “were no major acts of criminality to report,” however “despite the overall peaceful nature of the holiday, the BPS made 32 arrests for various offences, including a large number for impaired driving. ”
Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] wishes to thank the public for the support and cooperation provided our officers over the Bermuda Day holiday weekend.
“There were no major acts of criminality to report and it appears residents embraced our appeals for respect to be shown to each other and celebrated the holiday in true Bermuda spirit.
“Despite the overall peaceful nature of the holiday, the BPS made thirty-two arrests for various offences, including a large number for impaired driving. This is disappointing for a weekend where Roadside Sobriety Testing was gazetted and well publicised.
“Between the sobriety testing checkpoints and motorists stopped by BPS officers on general patrol, a total of twelve people were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving. Three of whom ultimately passed the alco-analyser testing at Hamilton Police Station and were subsequently released.
“Elsewhere, a total of forty-six tickets were issued for traffic offences.
“The breakdown is as follows:
- Failing to display required lights – 1
- Navigating a boat in Ferry Reach causing wake – 1
- Parking in a prohibited manner – 9
- No insurance – 4
- Using or permitting use of unlicensed vehicle – 4
- Disobeying traffic signs – 5
- Driving in a manner dangerous – 2
- Seatbelt Infraction – 2
- Speeding – 6
- No driver’s licence – 1
- Fail to exhibit number plate – 3
- Motorist notice [warning] – 6
- Use of cell-phone – 1
- Making false statements – 1
“We can also confirm there were very few reports of public violence. In fact, there were only two such incidents of note for the entire weekend.
“Shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 25th, 2023, officers attended King Edward VII Memorial Hospital following a report that a fifteen year old boy had been stabbed. Further investigations revealed he and three other males of similar age were walking along Bakery Lane, near the junction with St. John’s Road, Pembroke. The victim and one of the males reportedly got into a shoving match. The alleged perpetrator pulled a knife from his waist, and stabbed the victim in the upper back. The injury was not considered serious or life threatening.
“The second incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, May 27th. Around 12:45 a.m. on that date, police received a report of an assault and wilful damage at The Front Yard, Front Street, City of Hamilton. A security guard at the establishment reportedly intervened in a physical altercation between the male suspect, and a woman. The suspect then attacked the security guard, punching him about the head and face.
“Investigations into these matters remain ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the main police number 295-0011, or provide the information using the BPS reporting portal https://portal.police.bm. If you prefer, we urge you to call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477 or, provide the information to a police officer with whom you’re familiar or are comfortable speaking with.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations, Martin Weekes remarked: “Despite the poor weather conditions over the weekend, the officers of the Bermuda Police Service continued working to Make Bermuda Safer, conducting traffic stops, Roadside Sobriety Testing and manning the routes of the races and parades in the pouring rain. I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to our officers for their efforts as well as the continued high levels of professionalism with which they so willingly performed their duties.”
“Also, again, thank you to you the members of the public for working with your Bermuda Police Service and doing your part in keeping the peace to help make Bermuda Day 2023 such a joyous occasion.”
For extensive coverage of Bermuda Day spanning over a decade, visit our website BDADay.com, the island’s most comprehensive resource on the Bermuda Day holiday.
- Over 7,000 photos here
- Over 200 videos here
- Holiday graphics here
- History of the race here
- Bermuda Day Timeline here
- Dedicated website: BDADay.com
