Crime: It’s going to get worse

Crime: It’s going to get worse

The document forecasts that more people out of work will lead to more public unrest, with the possibility of an increased number of public demonstrations turning ‘hostile’.

And it outlines the impact that more young people, particularly young males, will have on the levels of crime, especially drug-taking.Analysis has identified a ‘demographic bulge’ of young people and aligns that factor with statistics which show that those under the age of 25 are responsible for 60 per cent of crime in the Island.

Research shows that the number of people aged between 14 and 25 is likely to rise from just over 12,000 in 2002 to more than 14,100 in 2009.

And one in 15 of all young people were arrested in connection with a criminal offence last year.

The plan states: ‘If offending rates stay as they are, this demographic bulge alone will generate a significant increase in crime and public disorder over the next few years.’Or, in the words of police chief Graham Power: ‘Gangs of youths in baseball caps is what we are going to see more of.’That, he said, was likely to lead to an increase in vandalism, joyriding, street violence and disorder, burglary, shoplifting and general calls for assistance because of antisocial behaviour.A force spokeswoman said: ‘It is against this background, coupled with the potential impact of the Fundamental Spending Review, new legislation and growing international requirements relating to areas such as financial crime and port security, that the latest Policing Plan has been prepared.’Mr Power denied that the 33-page document was an attempt to panic the holders of the Island’s purse strings when all parts of the public sector were having to live within increasing budgetary restraints.

And he stressed that the force had had significant success in many areas since 2001, especially by slashing the number of house burglaries and taking major players in the drugs world off the streets.He said that the answer was more co-operation between different agencies to create more holistic solutions to the issues facing the Island, adding that ‘throwing police officers at a problem’ was not a solution.The Policing Plan can be viewed on the States police website at www.police.gov.je.

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