The Blue Waters Anglers Club has stepped up security after a customer was stabbed to death in the street outside the premises.

Roderick Nesbitt, president of the Hamilton club, said yesterday that a lock had been fitted to the door to stop non-members entering late on busy Sunday evenings after the death of footballer Raymond Butterfield in March.

A camera covering the entrance to the club has also been installed, and Mr Nesbitt said the incident had affected the club and its patrons.

He said: “What is tragic is that a young person lost his life and another young person is in prison. That’s bigger than the stuff that happens at Blue Waters.

“In real terms, it hasn’t been good this summer, but those two families have had an even worse summer.”

Mr Nesbitt said that while the stabbing of Mr Butterfield and the fight that led to it happened outside the club, management had taken action to try to prevent further incidents.

He said: “We did look at the time on Sunday nights when other places close and we have some people milling around the city looking for somewhere to go.

“We have also put a security lock on the door so members can enter after 10pm and a camera at the door, so if we get a frequent customer they can be let in.

“Even though it didn’t happen in the club, we still have to take some kind of steps.”

Nesbitt said it was unfortunate that the stabbing was linked to the club, but that management decided not to make a public statement at the time because they did not want to interfere with the investigation and subsequent trial.

He said: “People could have said it happened on East Broadway or outside the gas station, but they said Blue Waters even though it didn’t happen in the club.

“We didn’t want to make any official comment because we didn’t want to interfere with the investigation, but it started outside. People inside the club didn’t know what was going on outside.

“We got some bad press from it. It is what it is.”

Mr Nesbitt added that the entire island is worried by an increase in knife crime.

He said: “I think most Bermudians are concerned about the idea of young people carrying knives, not just private clubs.

“I think the whole of Bermuda is concerned about that.”

Mikiel Thomas, 19, was this month cleared by a Supreme Court jury of murdering Mr Butterfield Court but found guilty of manslaughter. He has yet to be sentenced.

The incident is one of a series of recent knife crimes, which include the killing of 21-year-old Jahkoby Smith at Sandys West End Sailboat Club during a fight at the wake of shooting victim Jahcari Francis.

A police spokesman said officers were aware of criminals, including gang members, using knives as well as firearms.

He added: “Unfortunately these individuals are motivated to harm one another and will use any available method which is readily accessible.

“We continue to use all our lawful powers to bring these perpetrators to justice and curb group violence.

“This includes legislative powers and increased penalties, mandatory minimum sentences and fines when firearms and bladed articles are involved.”

The spokesman said the recent arrest of three people — one for possession of a firearm and two for possession of ammunition — was a sign of the service’s efforts to tackle violent crime.

But he added: “The BPS can not solve the problem by enforcement alone and we encourage the community to get involved in addressing the scourge of gangs and the root causes of the gang culture.

He asked anyone with information on suspected criminal behaviour to contact police or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline.