Public safety fears over lack of Jersey police funding

Jersey Police Authority Chairman Simon Harman said officers might have to "streamline" operational activities

There is a "very real possibility" that community safety could be affected by a lack of funding for the States of Jersey Police.

The warning comes from the Jersey Police Authority, the independent body which reviews its work.

It said the force did not have "enough people or funds" to fulfil its objectives over the next four years.

Minister for Home Affairs Helen Miles insisted that the force did have enough officers.

She said Jersey was a "very safe jurisdiction", but admitted savings targets set by the government would be "extremely challenging" for the police to deliver.

Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles said government savings targets would be "extremely challenging"

The States of Jersey Police was set a 2023 budget of £27.1m and ministers have earmarked funding of £27.4m for the years 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.

By contrast, the budget for Customer and Local Services will increase from £95.3m to £111.5m over the same period, while Health and Community Services will see its funding rise from £249m to £290.7m.

'Limited money'

The Jersey Police Authority - which reviews the effectiveness and efficiency of the island's force - said that officers might have to "streamline" operational activities in order to make the budget stretch, in light of rising inflation.

"I think the force will do its best, it always has done," said chairman Simon Harman.

"But, if there is limited money and limited people, there is only so much you can do.

"I hope there is no impact on safety, but I think it's a very real possibility if you haven't got the right amount of people in the right places."

Deputy Miles said the government had "a finite pot of money" to fund public services.

"We are living in a very safe jurisdiction," she said.

"We have sufficient officers to deliver what needs to be delivered."

However, Deputy Miles was critical of a government target for Jersey Police to save £375,000 in 2024, about which she said there had been "some fairly robust discussions".

She said: "I'm very disappointed with the salami-slice nature of the value for money savings.

"It's very difficult to do that when you have a front-line service.

"All I can say is we are monitoring the budget very carefully in order to assure that we can keep the island safe."

Jersey's politicians are due to debate the 2024-2027 budget in the States Assembly, beginning on Monday 11 December.

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