Another no-nonsense warning from the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) today following the second 24-hour shutdown of a club due to anti-social behaviour, this time, at Southampton Rangers Sports Club, where six men were injured in an altercation.
The club was shut down around 3am this morning when police and ambulance personnel responded to the reported disturbance.
Five men and a woman ended up under arrest in connection with the fracas, including a woman, who was subsequently released on police bail.
Using its authority under under the Bermuda’s Liquor Licence Act, the club was officially shut down from 10pm Saturday, February 2nd until 10pm Sunday, February 3rd with a clear warning that “all licenced premises take ‘social responsibility’ for the safety of their patrons and the conduct of those persons who threaten that safety, which has a profound effect on the community that they are a part of and Bermuda as a whole”.
“The Bermuda Police Service will continue to respond to any anti-social behaviour linked to liquor licenced premises with all of our law enforcement options – which includes but is not limited to – the temporary closure of offending properties,” said Superintendent James Howard, who is in charge of the Tactical Division.
“Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. The public expect a robust response from the police where the conduct of certain individuals causes or is likely to cause significant harm.
“Our focus of activity will therefore reflect this and we will respond to incidents of anti-social behaviour where vulnerability and or a high risk of threat or harm has been identified. If this is the case, then liquor licenced premises can expect to receive an order from me authorising the closure of their premises.
“I am hopeful that the closure will allow the management of any establishment to use the time to review any incident, in addition to improving security measures.
“The Bermuda Police Service is willing to assist should that be the case.”
Moving forward, the BPS “will continue to respond to any anti-social behaviour linked to liquor licenced premises with all of our law enforcement options – which includes but is not limited to – the temporary closure of offending properties”.
“Liquor licenced premises must ensure that the anti-social behaviour of a few does not affect the responsible socialising of the many responsible patrons.”
A police spokesman added:: “A 23 year-old-man and a 32-year-old man were transported from the scene via ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment of their injuries, which were not considered to be life threatening.
“The 23-year-old man was admitted to hospital for further medical assessment.
“Three men said to be 24, 25 and 30 years old respectively – believed to have been involved in the anti-social incident at Southampton Rangers Sports Club – arrived at the hospital in a private car for treatment of their injuries while a fourth man, said to be 21-years-old, also attended the hospital separately for treatment.
“After receiving medical care, all four men that attended the hospital of their own accord were arrested in connection with this incident. The driver of the car that transported three of the injured men to hospital – said to be a 27 year old woman – was also arrested.
“In addition, a 32 year old man was subsequently arrested in connection with this incident.
“The five men arrested remain in police custody at this time pending further inquiries, while the one woman arrested has since been released on police bail.”
Meanwhile, witnesses or members of the public with relevant information regarding this incident are urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Department on 247-1744 or the independent and anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.
