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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY J.M. MAÇON OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 6th OCTOBER 2009
Question
"What measures, if any, is the Minister proposing to introduce to counteract vandalism within the Island, in particular with regards to repeat offenders?"
Answer
I am not proposing, at this stage, to introduce any particular change in policy.
Nationally, it is estimated that 10% of offenders commit over 50% of crime. Our own analysis of crime patterns in Jersey also indicates that a relatively small number of people are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime and disorder in our community.
In prioritising policing activity and resource allocation, the police focus on identifying and targeting the individuals who are the most prolific offenders, the most persistently anti-social in their behaviour and those who pose the greatest threat to safety and security in Jersey. The more effective the Service can be in identifying and limiting the activities of these key individuals, the safer our community will become.
Experience of tackling crime and disorder shows that those who cause the greatest problems are invariably known to, or have direct involvement with other public services and frequently exhibit behaviours or problems which impact on a number of States Departments and their resources.
Through effective coordination and joint targeting, the opportunity exists to have the greatest possible impact on those who cause the most harm to our communities and whose activities draw most heavily on the limited resources available to States Departments.
Focussing on identifying and pursuing these key offenders can also help save scarce resources by preventing future incidents, as experience shows that these offenders will invariably keep committing offences over time.
Our overriding aim is to reduce the offending behaviour of individuals considered to pose the greatest threat of harm to our community. These individuals are prioritised with reference to –
- the nature and volume of the offences they are committing;
- the nature and volume of other harm they are causing, and; -their current or potential impact on the local community.
The States of Jersey Police operate an intelligence led structure with regular tasking and co-ordination meetings focusing effort on prevention, reduction and detection methods to effectively target key offenders and hotspots of activity.
This intelligence led approach has seen malicious damage 10% down on the same period for 2008, and malicious damage to vehicles reduced by 16%. Sixty percent of all recorded damage occurs in the Parish of St. Helier .
The Restorative Justice Programme is demonstrating success in dealing with offenders who have been convicted of offences of malicious damage, and agreed to participate in the programme. The information I have from the Probation Service and After-Care Service shows that of the 10 cases in 2008, 7 have not re-offended; and of the 3 cases this year to date, none have re-offended.
In respect of dealing with repeat offenders', sentencing policy is a matter for the courts, and therefore outside my
remit.
If individual members of the Assembly have concerns about vandalism in a particular area of the Island, then they should contact the States or Honorary Police directly with this information.