New Jersey police plan focuses on crime prevention

The Jersey Police Authority has outlined the island's policing plan for 2024 to 2027

The Jersey Police Authority has said it wants more to be done to stop crime before it happens.

It has published a plan for 2024 to 2027, outlining areas it wants States of Jersey Police to target.

Among the targets is to "prevent crime and bring offenders to justice", which authority chair Simon Harman said would involve "working smarter".

Chief Officer Robin Smith said crime prevention is a "collaborative effort" between police and the community.

'Problem-solving policing'

The authority is an independent body that aims to make sure Jersey Police is efficient.

It aims to deliver its key targets while also speaking to local people about their views on the island's policing.

The plan for the next four years has the following five main targets:

• Keeping people safe

• Problem solving policing

• Our people, our culture

• Prevent crime and bring offenders to justice

• Provide value for money

The report has also said the force's budget will remain roughly the same between this year and 2027.

The force will get £27,335,000 in 2024, £27,425,000 next year, £27,402,000 in 2026 and £27,381,000 in 2027.

Jersey Police Authority chair Simon Harman said problem-solving policing is about "looking at the issue rather than the symptom"

Mr Harman said it was up to the chief officer to look at how current resources could be used to target the prevention of crime before it happens.

He said the plan was about looking at how the force could be "working smarter and working in different areas than they are now".

"I think problem-solving policing is looking at the issue rather than the symptoms, it's not all about blue lights and fast police cars," Mr Harman told BBC Radio Jersey.

"If there's a particular area that's got a problem or an issue or a particular part of the community has a problem or issue, how can the police service get into that and stop it before it becomes an issue that has to be dealt with in alternative ways?

"At this time it would be a case of looking to see what happens in the very near future."

Within the report, Mr Smith said it is the force's "solemn responsibility" to ensure everyone on Jersey feels safe.

He said police would work with the community on crime prevention as it was a "effort between law enforcement and the community we serve".

"By working together, we can address the root causes of criminal behaviour and create a safer, more resilient island," he added.