Closer working on law enforcement is agreed
HOME AFFAIRS has signed a deal to work more closely with Jersey on law enforcement, but the details are secret.
A Memorandum of Understanding was agreed during a one-day visit to Guernsey by Jersey’s Home Affairs and Justice Committee.
Talks included the transfer of prisoners, a prospect raised by Guernsey because of the number in Les Nicolles.
Home Affairs president Mary Lowe said: ‘As two small island jurisdictions we face many of the same issues and it makes perfect sense for us to share ideas, share knowledge and potentially even in the future share facilities to tackle these common areas.
‘We have a long-established working relationship with Home Affairs in Jersey and I am delighted to have signed a MoU which helps formalise that connection and which I firmly believe will benefit both islands in the areas of justice and law enforcement.
‘It was a very informative day for us both and it has been a pleasure to show Jersey’s Home Affairs minister and assistant minister around many areas of our responsibility.’
However, when the Guernsey Press asked to see a copy of the MoU it was turned down because it contained ‘specific areas of joint law enforcement activity’.
Visits to Les Nicolles prison and the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre took place during the visit.
Talks about offender management, what would need to be put in place to transfer prisoners between the islands should the need arise and the Justice Review were on the agenda.
Jersey’s Home Affairs minister, Constable Len Norman, said: ‘It is important to hold regular meetings so we can continue to strengthen our joint working in areas like offender management.
‘Our productive working relationship provides mutually beneficial links between our two governments which are in the long-term interests of both islands.
‘We can learn a great deal by sharing our plans and experience with our Guernsey colleagues.’
