Islanders must fight crime rise

THE rise in crime could threaten the island's prosperity. The Crime Prevention Panel has circulated a warning to all States members before they debate the 2005 Sustainable Guernsey Report on 28 July.

The chief of police had rightly made the point that the island has a low rate of crime compared with other jurisdictions, such as the UK, said the letter.

'The Crime Prevention Panel believes that it is imperative to maintain this distinction because, otherwise, Guernsey will no longer be a special place ' the fact which drives our economy and prosperity in competition with the rest of the world.'

The CPP believes that the States should act now to prioritise the provision of adequate resources to the island police force and other law-enforcement agencies. These services should go beyond reactivity in the fight against crime.

'Research needs to be carried out leading to the profiling, targeting and covert surveillance of offenders in order to eradicate the activities of those who are recklessly threatening to render permanent damage on our splendid environment and privileged way of life.'

The Policy Council, said the CPP, should not rest on the Sustainable Guernsey research in the hope that States departments will automatically respond to identified warnings. It must assist the police in further analysing the profile of crime and then direct the Home Department to address identified priorities against measurable performance indicators.

'This means catching criminals and punishing them with enough severity to persuade them not to re-offend.'

The CCP is urging islanders to play their part by reporting crime to the police without fear or favour and to understand that, if they do not, respect for the island could irrecoverably dissipate in a short period.

n'This year's Sustainable Guernsey Report highlighted six areas of major threat to the island's prosperity. One was the 3% overall increase in total reported crime in 2004. This included underpinning increases such as 28% in the case of arson and 45% in burglary from non-dwellings.

'Of greatest concern is the consistency over the last five years with which criminal damage features as the most frequently reported crime, representing nearly one third of all crime committed in Guernsey.'

*'Anyone wishing to report crime to police anonymously can do so by calling the free Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.