This Is Guernsey

By Nigel Baudains

Chief of police George Le Page with some of the blades handed in during the 2007 knife amnesty that followed the conclusion of the trial of Craig Rouget who stabbed James Dean to death. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0481691)

In Guernsey Police’s Annual Report for 2007, published today, Chief Officer George Le Page says that the number reported fell by 11% on the previous year.
He puts that down to several factors, including the force’s ongoing war against drugs.
‘We are seeing a direct correlation between the number of people that we have arrested for possession and supply of illegal and controlled substances and the noticeable reduction in other forms of offending, such as acquisitive crime,’ he said.
Binge drinking and other social trends also affected the figures.
In total, 3,024 incidents were reported for the year compared with 3,411 in 2006.
Police will continue to work closely with Customs to combat drug offences.
He was heartened by the support his officers had received from the public, although staffing levels were still an issue last year.
‘We have to do the best we can with the resources available and we seek to use them effectively and efficiently,’ he said.
The force continued to work hard at reducing opportunities for people to offend.
‘It is not always possible to provide the high-profile uniform patrols that the public would wish to see in their neighbourhood,’ Mr Le Page said.
‘But that does not mean that work is not progressing in other areas to make the Bailiwick a secure environment in which the community can live in safety and commerce can prosper.’
Targeting operations, in which officers were deployed to recognised trouble hotspots, had also proved a considerable success. One scheme in St Martin’s Village, saw offences of antisocial behaviour and criminality cut by half.

Article posted on 11th August, 2008 - 2.30pm