A squad of officers is working around the clock to target Jersey’s most persistent criminals, and their work is a key part of the success that has seen a fifth consecutive annual fall in recorded crime, which is now less than half what it was a decade ago.
Police Chief Mike Bowron says that targeting “Persistent Prolific Offenders” is one of the key parts of the strategy that has seen a squad called the “Priority Crime Team” assembled to keep tabs on the small group of hardcore criminals who commit the most crime.
He says that just 20% of offenders are responsible for 80% of crime, and that the force will continue to go after the top offenders. Last year, 28 key criminals were identified – 21 of them received some form of sanction from the criminal justice system ranging from a written caution to four years in prison, and two were deported.
Mr Bowron said: “We have a Priority Crime Team whose job is to focus all of their energies on these prolific offenders. They are out there 24 hours a day.
“We are making sure that the PPOs comply with their conditions of bail, that they are not creeping around in the shadows looking to commit burglaries.
“We have a very good briefing system so that all of our officers know who is doing what, and who they are doing it with.”