There is no effective, co-ordinated effort to make sure that the streets of St Helier are safe

From David Le Couilliard.

WITH regard to the recent coverage on the escalating violence on the streets of St Helier, I believe there is no effective co-ordinated effort to resolve this.

How can the St Helier Chef de Police sit on that panel when his honorary cronies go home at midnight on a Friday and Saturday, before the trouble kicks off?

There has also been an incomprehensible suggestion made by the Constable of St Helier that parish wardens be given honorary police powers. The fact that the honorary police still exist beggars belief, but to suggest giving those employed to manage residents’ parking schemes the power of arrest is possibly the most idiotic thing to come from his lips.

I remember recently that the law was changed to give honorary police officers powers outside their own parish. If they are really in it to serve the public, why don’t they use these powers every Friday and Saturday night on the streets of St Helier, assisting the clearly under-manned States police? The fact that they don’t leads to the fact that the term ‘hobby bobby’ is more fitting than ever.

If the honorary police could co-ordinate themselves and get on the streets and serve the public when they are needed, perhaps the public would have more respect for them.

Imagine the additional presence the entire honorary police would make to St Helier at the weekends. Sadly, the vast majority seem happy to put their fluorescent jackets on their car’s parcel shelf to show us all how important they are.

If they were to put that fluorescent jacket on and walk the beat with the professional police, the public would hold them in higher regard.

If there were police community support officers, as there are in the UK and Guernsey, I would happily sign up and stand side by side with professional police officers on Friday and Saturday nights, if of course I passed the entry criteria.

Finally, I appreciate Roy Travert’s concerns regarding door supervisors needing stab vests, but I think stab vests are a little over the top. I do think that metal detectors should be in use in busy bars and clubs. I was a doorman for nearly ten years, finishing in 2007, and from what I hear from former security colleagues, things are worse than ever, with a smaller police presence than ever and no honorary officers on patrol after midnight.

With regard to supporting door staff, I have to say that in most cases I found the police supportive of decisions to eject or restrain, with only a couple of exceptions over ten years.

The States police seem to be stabilising from the top, although the suspension of the chief officer has been a very negative episode. The honorary police need to be disbanded and a community support division created in their place.

Any part-time policing has to come under the jurisdiction of a professional, paid police force – that being our States police.