Police are investigating another chain snatching incident, only this time, the knife-wielding robber stole a chain from around the neck of an employee at Oleander Cycles in Southampton.

A police spokesman said the man walked into the business near The Reefs hotel, and threatened the staff member with a knife when a scuffle broke out.

The assailant grabbed a 30-inch chain from around the victim’s neck, ran out and jumped on back of a black motorcycle with his accomplice waiting outside.

Fortunately, the victim was not injured.

The incident occurred shortly after 2pm on Thursday, August 16. Both men were dressed in all-black clothing.

This latest incident was the second of its kind in one day, following an attempted handbag snatch and similar thefts in recent weeks.

The victim in the handbag grab attempt fought off her assailants at the junction of Burnt House Hill and Paddock Drive in Warwick.

The incident occurred around 10:15am Thursday morning.

Police say the two suspects on a motorcycle stopped and started to talk to the woman before the passenger got off the bike, confronted her and then tried to snatch her bag.

The victim wasn’t having it and the pair rode off empty-handed.

In another incident, two men on a motorcycle tried to snatch a chain from the neck of another motorcyclist.

That incident occurred just before 9am on Parsons Road near Happy Valley Road in Pembroke.

A police spokesman said: “The victim somehow managed to keep possession of the chain and the suspects then quickly left the area on their motorcycle.”

The incident is not believed to be related to the Warwick bag snatch bid.

Police said last Friday that two men on a motorcycle were believed to be responsible for a string of attempted chain snatches across the island.

A police spokeswoman said at the time, it appeared the incidents up to that point were “opportunistic with randomly selected targets”.

She urged motorcyclists to conceal jewellery and other belongings while on the road to avoid being targeted.

Desmond Crockwell, an anti-violence campaigner, said last night that those responsible should think about the consequences of their actions.

He added: “These young men, they’re hurting the country.”

“I beg them to stop. I ask them to look in the mirror and ask themselves, is it worth it? It could have a trickle effect on the country. Word can get out that Bermuda is an unsafe place.

“That could affect tourism, that could affect his parents going to work. People need to understand the impact.”

Mr Crockwell said the crimes were “unnecessary” and that they make members of the public, including children, feel unsafe.

He told the thieves: “Your one little incident is impacting your grandma because she doesn’t want to go out in case somebody’s going to rob her.”

The national security ministry did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.

Michael Dunkley, the shadow national security minister, said: “Violence in our communities is always a real concern, even more so in a small community like Bermuda.

“Violence impacts us all in a very negative way.

“At this time, in the height of summer, when we’re very busy with tourism, for the latest incident to happen in a spot that is frequented by visitors and locals alike, this hits the foundation of our community.”

Police have appealed for witnesses to all the incidents.