What are parents doing to prevent youngsters and their mindless acts?

The last few weekends, the last one in April and the first three in May, have seen some sort of ridiculous behaviour going on. We had the vandalism spree in the north of the island, followed by vandalism in St Peter Port, where businesses were targeted, not to mention islanders’ cars and property being wrecked and damaged. Don’t these hoodlums have better things to do with their time, such as studying and going to work? No, instead, they choose to go around breaking property and doing completely mindless acts of criminal damage.

For me, I cannot get my head around such mentalities, and this sort of behaviour, which is being exhibited by fellow islanders, is completely unacceptable. Of course, these kids have parents. What are the parents doing with such troublesome kids? Do they even know their children are causing such horror on the streets of this island? I can’t help but feel sorry for all those targeted by this stupid behaviour.

Also, we have had at least one football club targeted, as well as the cafe at Saumarez Park and, of course, the shocking targeting of Gandeys Circus. The fact that a visiting company was targeted is absolutely despicable. The fact that they were able to donate their own money to the RNLI, I believe, speaks volumes of their moral compasses and they were able to do so not even knowing how much had been stolen from the charity collection buckets. Although nearby, I didn’t visit the circus, but I might do next year should they choose to visit again. Not one islander who enjoyed the circus shows could blame the owners of Gandeys Circus for skipping Guernsey next year, mainly as a result of this despicable act.

I read about Phil Breban of the local police force trying, unsuccessfully, to reassure islanders about more police patrols to combat such acts of criminal behaviour. All of this heartache and hassle for decent islanders and all we get in return is Mr Breban saying that some people have been caught and the confirmation of more police patrols. What is more shocking is the fact that as taxpayers, we are funding the police force, which could do much better with this topic.

I definitely respect the police force, but I feel they have dropped the ball, because it wasn’t one weekend, but at least four consecutive weekends, and for me, that is completely unacceptable. Perhaps had the police immediately increased the police presence around targeted parts of the island, and monitored other parts of the island much sooner, then, who knows, the three following weekends of vandalism might have been avoided completely, isolating the criminal activities to just the one weekend.

At the end of the day, I think it’s high time the local police force did more to prevent such situations and for those responsible to grow up and get a life. This weekend vandalism spree has to stop and it has to stop right now. Trust me, if I find some hoodlums where I live, then they will have me to answer to, after I phone the police, like that will do much, but, yeah, after I call the police.

S. E. HAINSWORTH,

Notre Maison,

Clos des Isles, Les Banques,

St Sampson’s, GY2 4AP.

Editor’s footnote: Nigel Taylor, deputy chief officer of Guernsey Police, replies: ‘I share the frustrations of your reader as regards the recent spate of antisocial behaviour. We all live and work in the island and Guernsey Police remain committed to ensuring it is a safe and enjoyable place in which to live. This is one of the reasons why we seek the help of the community as a whole in seeking to find those responsible and hold them to account for their actions.

Enquiries are continuing into a number of burglaries and cases of criminal damage which have taken place in recent weeks. Four juveniles have been arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries – two in connection with a number of cases of criminal damage which took place in the early hours of Saturday 5 May in the north of the island and two in connection with the spate of damage in the St Peter Port area which took place overnight on Saturday 12 May.

The recent incidents of damage have occurred in various locations and while it is impossible to predict exactly where the next area to be targeted might be, patrols have been increased as a result. Officers are also conducting spot-checks on premises outside opening hours to check that security measures are in place. While undertaking this targeted activity, we are also attending the numerous calls for immediate assistance from the public, which will draw on the resources being used to find those causing damage and gather evidence which will enable us to hold them responsible for their actions.

Intelligence suggests that this is a small number of individuals whose antisocial behaviour is having a significant impact on the community. Where appropriate, if and when dealing with juveniles, the officers will contact the parents at the time, seeking their support and cooperation in dealing with their children.

The majority of these incidents take place during the hours of darkness, away from public view. Members of the public are advised to park their vehicles in well-used and well-lit locations wherever possible and to call police if they see or hear anything suspicious.

We would reiterate our advice to clubs and businesses to ensure that their security measures are as robust as possible, identify any areas that may be vulnerable and to consider installing security lights, alarms and/or CCTV if appropriate. For more advice, or to arrange a personal review of security, please contact our crime reduction adviser, Andy Goodall.