The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
5.7 Deputy T.M. Pitman of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding anti-social misuse of cars and motorbikes at the Albert Quay:
It is nice to ask someone different about this. In view of earlier concerns about anti- social misuse of cars and motorbikes at the Albert Quay and in light of the unwillingness of Economic Development to put a barrier system in place, would the Minister advise whether or not the police are able to prosecute individuals caught on film by residents while carrying out acts of an anti-social nature?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand (The Minister for Home Affairs):
States of Jersey Police are committed to delivering in effect a consistent level of
service in tackling residents' concerns in this area of St. Helier and they have worked with the harbour authorities and local residents to this end and continue so to do. They will collect evidence from any available source to assist in investigating complaints of behaviour which may be in breach of the law, and where sufficient evidence exists then offenders will be reported and referred to the prosecution authorities which is, of course, initially a Centenier who makes the decision as to whether or not to prosecute. The admissible evidence at trial in any individual case is ultimately a matter for the trial judge but there is nothing in principle preventing photographic or electronic images from being admitted as evidence.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I thank the Minister for that. As I have at last got some positive feedback from residents, could the Minister advise whether if this positive step forward does not continue he would be willing to support a change in the Statutory Nuisances (Jersey) Law 1999 to finally put an end to all of this?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
I do not think the Statutory Nuisances Law will particularly help here. Presumably this would be noise nuisance that would be looked at. I think that is a separate issue. In fact, interestingly enough the police when they spent a whole evening or somebody spent a whole evening on the site observed that the largest level of noise was coming from vehicles coming on and off the ramp and also from hire cars which were in the vicinity, so there are considerable sources of noise unfortunately in that area.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I have to say the hire cars do not put their ghetto blasters on and honk their horns but basically I would like to ask if the Minister would pass on the positive feedback from some of the residents that this new police chief finally seems to have done something after what they feel, and I feel, was complete indifference over the last 18 months with his predecessor, so if the Minister could pass that on, I would appreciate it.
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
I must say I am very grateful for that comment and will pass that on.