WE are fortunate that Jersey can still be classified as a low-crime area. Quite clearly, this does not mean that our community is free of crime, but the most serious categories of offence remain mercifully rare.

In spite of this, Island life is all too often blighted by two sorts of deeply irksome criminal activity which, although they are at the lower end of the scale, can only be seen as entirely reprehensible. Public disorder, often spurred by drunkenness, is one of these social ills; the other is vandalism, often perpetrated for reasons which are entirely impossible to fathom.

Last week, disorder, coupled with assault, was in evidence when a gang of youths went on what can only be called a brazen rampage in a St Helier shop.

Measures to respond rapidly to such incidents are, apparently, now in place. However, it is clear that the message that such conduct will not be tolerated must be broadcast as loudly and clearly as possible. The best way of achieving this is to ensure that the perpetrators are caught and that they feel the full force of the law.

Just as worrying as the shop incident was the weekend outbreak of vandalism at the Elizabeth Marina. Even if vandalism can, in general terms, be described as petty crime, this was no trivial incident. Damage estimated at £50,000 was caused and 54 vessels and various pieces of equipment were involved.

Given the precautions that are taken to prevent unauthorised people gaining access to the marina, the security in the area is probably appropriate. Also, the openness of the site and its proximity to a busy hotel might have been expected to offer a measure of protection from this sort of incident.

It is now to be hoped that closed-circuit television cameras will help the police catch those responsible for this truly mindless piece of hooligan behaviour. The vigilance of this technology did not, in this case, act as a deterrent, but it could still provide valuable evidence.

It is also to be hoped that when the vandals are brought to book they will rapidly be made to understand the magnitude of the damage that they inflicted. Although their crime will be labelled malicious damage, in principle, if not in practice, they could also be accused of stealing £50,000 from 50 boat-owners and their insurers.