Crime rate cut by football

Saturday 10th January 2009, 9:57AM GMT.

A LATE-NIGHT football tournament for teenagers is helping to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour at Les Quennevais for the second year running.

The first tournament, which was held every Friday from November 2007 and March 2008, slashed the amount of low-level crime there to an all-time low.

Figures released by the States police showed that there were only 13 cases of antisocial behaviour in the area on a Friday while the competition was being run. This compares to 29 cases during the same period the year before, and 24 incidents on Fridays in the same months in 2005 and 2006.

Since the latest tournament started last November there have only been two cases of antisocial behaviour on a Friday in the Les Quennevais area. Centenier Steve Pallett, who is one of the honorary officers who have helped to run the event, said: ‘We were asked to get involved to provide a very low-key police presence at the events. It is clear that the tournament is extremely well-run and is having a positive effect on the wider community.’

• Picture: Steve Pallett

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1
dave brown

January 10, 2009 at 11:50 am

well done to all the people who have given their time to do somthing for the youngsters.

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2
Tobias

January 10, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Could always try locking them up rather than giving them football tournaments – or better still bring back corporal punishment. We’d soon see the crime levels drop permanently.

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3
P Lee

January 10, 2009 at 6:40 pm

What are their parents doing while they are out drinking, throwing rubbish everywhere and causing damage?

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4
James

January 11, 2009 at 9:23 am

That’s fantastic news. It is so good to hear something positive about this age group in Jersey, it just shows they need seomthing to focus on and feel good about. Well done to all those involved. Keep up the good work. It’s not easy and it’s so important.

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5
Moi

January 11, 2009 at 8:59 pm

why couldn’t these gangs of kids organise their own “kickabouts” if they like the game so much? When i was a kid that’s all me and my mates usually did to keep ourselves occupied…….anyway don’t youth clubs do these anymore? I’m getting tired of hearing all these excuses about “boredom” and “nothing to do”. We had less in my time and were more adventurous in our activities. We live on a rock and there is plenty to do if you bother to think hard enough.

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6
PJG

January 12, 2009 at 10:18 am

Great to see someone doing something constructive thats working, rather than just moaning about what somebody else should do.
congratulations St Brelade honorary police

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7
J G

January 12, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Come on you ‘knockers’, credit where credit is due. Youngsters will always take flak, but, if they are in a structured environment, releasing all the pent-up testosterone young men have and doing something they enjoy what is wrong with that? Not only that, but if it is reducing mindless crime, it benefits everybody. Moreso bouquets to all those who are giving their time to organise these tournaments.

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8
jude

January 12, 2009 at 3:40 pm

Tobias, this is exactly the kind of negativity that these young kids are rebelling against!! Get rid of this attitude island wide and theres the answer to our problems you cant fool the youth.. but you can listen understand and accept the fact that even as you age you are still learning, these youngsters need to feel they are worthy of something and well done Mr Pallett for recognising that

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