Crackdown on teens running wild in town
Saturday 14th March 2009, 10:00AM GMT.
THE town centre is being plagued by teenagers who are threatening shop workers and throwing stink bombs inside busy stores.
Police officers are now focusing their efforts on patrolling the streets and shops on busy Saturdays and during the week after school. And the police have warned that they are taking the matter so seriously that they may prosecute unruly teenagers unless they do not curb their bad behaviour.
Chief Inspector André Bonjour met the town centre manager, Richard Mackenzie, and other retailers last week to discuss the problems. The news comes just a week after a gang of 20 or more teenagers ran riot in the Spar store in Bath Street. This is thought to have been sparked after an employee was badly beaten for making a citizen’s arrest on a 15-year-old boy who tried to steal a litre bottle of vodka during the middle of the day.
Over the past few weeks the number of complaints about disorderly behaviour in town has soared.
It is understood that many retailers have been threatened and sworn at and have had stink bombs thrown through their doors.
Pictured: Ross Donaldson with one of the radios town stores use to keep each other informed about shoplifters. They are not, however, as effective against unruly behaviour
Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are also available online.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
JEP Jubilee Editions
Saturday 2 June: Guide to Celebrations
Wednesday 6 June: Souvenir of Events
View The Queen in Jersey supplement
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
And what about the adults!!!!!!!!!
Report abuse
I was walking through town last night and there were groups of teenagers hanging around Snow Hill and playing football outside Mc Donalds.
Very easy to see why some people can feel threatened by their presence.
Glad there is going to be a crackdown.
Report abuse
Teens running wild in St. Helier – This should not be occurring with the number of States Police and Honorary Police officers that are available, combined with the CCTV systems in the town.
Hopefully the radio system outlined in the J.E.P. report will be linked to the Police Control Room, like the ‘Store Net’ system in the U.K.
Proper coordination by police managers, should either prevent these incidents or help catch those responsible for crime and disorder. When offenders are caught they need to be dealt with robustly by the Courts to deter similar behaviour. A ‘flea in the ear’, by some well meaning Centenier at a Parish Hall Enquiry will achieve little – zero tolerance is required.
Unless the authorities in Jersey regain control, the Island’s reputation will be going down the toilet.
Report abuse
Teens don’t go on the rampage, cause trouble or turn bad just for the heck of it. It’s about time someone in Jersey understood that and spent time working out exactly what the problem is instead of allowing the community to continually come down hard on them.
Report abuse
What is going on in Jersey–in the good old days it would have been delt with and would not be tolerated–get the kid gloves off get rid of the do gooders and stop this before you loose your safe island as we have done here in the U.K !!!
Report abuse
Yes Debbie, we should not come down hard on them just as we never do hence they can get away with this behaviour.
Report abuse
Stop all the namby pamby, pink and fluufy “oh lets look at the root of the problem, and speak nice to the kids”. “The root” of the problems have always been there, kids are not stupid and if they know that they will get away with a pink and fluffy talking to, for something wrong that they have done…………..then that is no deterent at all. Hard measures is what is required, some strong decisions and no tolerence required here. If you look at how much human rights / well meaning councelling sessions, and all that pink and fluffy reactions to problems, have affected things in recent decades then you dont have to be a genious to work out that old fashioned discipline is what kids and people in general take as a deterent. A “nice talking to” and the kids are laughing at your efforts. Anyone who thinks that you can tackle these issues by speaking to kids “as adults” and “with respect” are simply failing to see that all those approaches have failed, and are not realising that the hard core of these youths do not react to that sort of treatment. With exceptions it is not your average teenager who went down to the Marina last weekend, it is the sort of youth that – and get your pink and fluufy head ready for this…………..will only ever fear and respect hard no nonsense discipline / authority. Is it coincidence that youth problems have exploded and fink and fluffy approaches have been championed by do gooders that do not realise, that the majority of the kids causing problems are not the same as their little hard studying respectful child – and yes that particular child may be fortunate to be the way he or she is, and you were lucky enough to be able to deal with them in a respectful way…………..but most of the troublesome youths are not like that. And come from a world were pink and fluffy is laughed at in bucket fulls………….Time for real world reactions to a real world problem. It is time for something radical or maybe just old fashioned.
Report abuse
Debbie – (4) You are correct youngsters don’t cause trouble or turn bad for the heck of it. What hypothisis do you then offer for the cause of the recent spate of problems with disorder in the Island? Peer pressure? Poor role models? Lack of facilities for youths? Surely these people need to take responsibility for their actions. Even an old fossil like me was a youth once, but I don’t recall youngsters causing as many problems as they do nowadays – we had even less facilities than youngters do today. My theory is the authorities have gone soft on crime and need to regain control.
Report abuse
On one hand, the young folk should not be unruly and when they are, should be brought to task. On the other hand I feel sorry for them. They look for excitement and from what I understand, there is very little available on this island for them to keep them amused. Maybe we need to tackle the problem from both ends. Ask them what they would like and create many interests for them to partake in yet rule with an iron rod when things get out of hand, as in the recent Spar incident.
Report abuse
It is kind of silly comment but…
Kids are only as bad as we – parents – tolerate them, or in the other sense – as bad as we teach them to be (good as well in that matter).
It is not Marshall law, not police, not school who should rise the kids, teach them how to be a good human being – it is sole role of parents – and if parents do not care… spending all evenings in pubs or restaurants, all days in work, all afternoons playing golf, poker, whatever… perfectly happy that their ‘babies’ are outside ‘learning their lessons’…
Kids’ right is to be stupid, but if parents are stupid as well – let them pay the bills. Parents should be 100% responsible for all the crimes of their ‘little ones’ – and I mean 100%. Without this we will have “oh my little baby is so kind, I cannot believe that it could do such a thing” for ever.
Report abuse
I don’t consider myself a perfect parent and neither am I a particularly harsh parent, but I can in all honesty say I know exactly where my teenage son is, who he is with and what he’s doing when he goes out because I insist he keeps me informed about such things. I expect him to be honest with me and with honesty he gains my trust. I also know what time he’ll be home because I’m the one who has set the limitations and boundaries. How many parents can say that? How many parents even care what their youngsters get up to when they’re not at home? How many parents perhaps do all that but fail to do the occasional check on their youngsters to be sure they’re not being fed a load of baloney? For one reason or another, many parents today are too busy or concerned with what goes on in their own lives and prefer not to be bothered with what their youngsters are doing.
Kids shouldn’t be denied access to good facilities but it’s all too easy to say “there’s not enough for them to do, we need to provide more”. Giving them everything they want hasn’t worked in the past and won’t work in the future either. Good parenting is what every child needs and I believe it’s the parents who should be held accountable for the actions of their children. No matter what’s going on in their own lives, parents should be made to understand that they were the ones who bought their children into this world and it is they who should be 100% responsible for their offspring until their youngsters are of a legal age to be responsible for themselves and their own actions.
I’m pretty sure if more parents took an interest in what their teens were up to and were made to be accountable if and when things go wrong with them, then we wouldn’t be faced with the problems we’re having in society today.
Report abuse
Ouch…..ouch!Why do we have to ask youngsters what they want us to provide, to give them entertainment? When I was a youth, we made our own entertainment and used our imagination – today a number of youngsters are seemingly lost unless they have the latest electronic gizmo to keep them amused. They don’t want to sort out their own lives, they want others to do it for them. I must stress that we shouldn’t give all youths this label; I am sure the trouble makers are in the minority, but it is they who give the rest a bad name. The authorities need to make an example of them.
Report abuse
I agree with Sean. In reality, I think probably the vast majority of people do. I would go further & say, also punish these children’s parents because that is where these problems start.
Discipline starts at home. Come down hard on small misdemeanours at an early age. I think it is now called ‘tough love’ but it is just normal, perhaps old fashioned upbringing.
Oh, whilst I’m in a moaning mood – Stop listening to the do-gooders of this world. They’re idealists & when things get tough watch them run.
I’ve just read Radek’s comments & agree 100%. I just do not understand how the powers that be cannot understand this -most law abiding people seem to.
Report abuse
I am convinced that poor parenting is the reason why the majority of youngsters behave badly and so parents should be held responsible for any problems caused by their offspring.As for lack of things for kids to do on the island that will always be an excuse as you will never be able to amuse or entertain all of the kids all of the time-not everyone wants to do a sport or join a youth club.I also think that society in general is very selfish and without parental guidance some kids will think that whatever they want they should have without any consideration for others.Just look at some of the role models who earn fortunes by basically being ignorant and attention seeking.
Report abuse
Certainly parents must shoulder the responsibility for their kids behaviour. Discipline fell apart when corporal punishment was stopped in schools and parents weren’t allowed to administer punishment to their children for fear of the police being called.
When I was a kid if I misbehaved in school you got the cane, if I misbehaved at home my dad would hit me. The thing is I never got the cane and I doubt my dad hit me more than a couple of times. The certain knowledge of punishment was a deterrant for me and most other kids.
These kids don’t know what punishment is, why wouldn’t they do what they like, no one is going to stop them. I agree with a hardline approach to teach them discipline unless it’s too late.
Report abuse
I can not belive some of the comments such as –nothing to do– there is so much oppertunity on your beutiful island so many peopal giving there time to help with, such as swimming-boating- climbing-running- surf boading-ect ect–so get off backside turn computer game off and GO FOR IT and get rid of the do gooders– come down hard on offenders– if you dont you will end up with the mess we are in here in the U.K–its up to you
Report abuse
.. Teenages Dont Have Enough To Play around you should build more stuff for teens .. instead of offices and flats.
Report abuse
Oh my word. Groups of teenagers hanging around Snow Hill? What is happening to Jersey these days.Everywhere will have some problem with anti social behaviour from our youth. The whole generation are not on some quest to dismantle law and order. Give them some credit. On this ‘big rock’ there are more interesting and exciting things for our youngsters to do. Can Jersey claim they have done enough for the young? Maybe they can make a start and put some goals up outside McDonalds, then they won’t look some intimidating.
Report abuse
LG; go on…..you are having a laugh. Cienmas, amusement arcades, sprots fields, beaches, youth clubs, boating, swimming pools etc. What do youngsters in third world countires do to amuze themselves…..if they behaved the way teenages do in Jersey, I am sure they’d be severely punished. It all goes down to respect and many teenagers just have no respect for themselves or law and order.
Report abuse
Lots of understandable comments here however it is surprising when the authorities state “And the police have warned that they are taking the matter so seriously that they may prosecute unruly teenagers unless they do not curb their bad behaviour.” As serious as that eh?
one thing missing here is case examples where those causing trouble have been arrested and spoken to including their parents to see if the reasons suggested for their actions match reality.
Report abuse
The Birch? ermmmm?
Report abuse
Teenagers have hung around Snow Hill for the last few decades!
Report abuse
Come along to Patriotic Street on the weekend….see what fun we have with the kids playing skateboards in the garage and vandalising the buildings. Its better than any movie.
Report abuse
Why not ask younger folk what they would like to keep them amused? It would give them a sense of responsibility. Invite them in at the planning stage and to assist with the execution stage. This in it’s own would create an interest in their lives and a sense of achievement once completed. By way of example, Jersey has some lovely historic castles, maybe some could dress up as knights and stage mock battles for the tourists – that would release some pent up energy! while others acted as guides pointing out the history & other interesting facts! a by-product would be the learning of their history in a more interesting fashion!
Report abuse
So when do you plan this, when its to late and the damage has been and is currently being done…honestly i don’t think the polic force can be bothered kids of today are getting away with a slap on the hand and a smile from your local bobby, now don’t do it again, hello I don’t think time to punish, and as said earlier in the week let them stand in a crowd in extremely bright clothing and time to name and shame them….get it together Jersey Police……..
Report abuse
The ST Helier honorary police is working at under half strength at the moment Should be 52 strong has 24 officers. They put a lot of time in to try and stop incidents of this sort
Why don’t some of you who are complaining join and make a difference.
If your not part of the solution your part of the problem.
Report abuse
What a load of unadulterated twaddle, I have come back from a weekend in the UK to find that Jersey is in the grip of mass teenage violence (aka ‘groups of teenagers seen in town centre’) and we are over run by Skateboarding mutants in car parks!
Let me contrast this with Bristol city centre; where it is accepted that teenagers are allowed to congregate in groups of more than three without being summonsed to a Parish Hall Enquiry. Skateboarders peacefully coexisted with the rest of humanity whilst children paddle in the water feature and rugby fans watch Wales struggle to victory against the Italians. Community Support officers and policemen in body armour get on with the real job of keeping the community safe instead of prosecuting short people for walking on the footpath with a spotty face or being found in possession of an offensive Hoody.
Just exactly what is the problem with people on this island, get a life and leave teenagers alone.
Report abuse
There are few boundaries, few ‘lines in the sand’. Influenced by American MTV gangsta culture and think that the world owes them.
No imaginations to do anything that isn’t ‘cool’. Don’t want to work to achieve anything – want it handed to them. Lazy, arrogant and untouchable.
Watch X Factor to see the hoards of youths who have an unrealistic view of life and seriously consider that fame and fortune should be handed to them on a plate. “Please Simon, I really, really want this…”. Want what exactly? Money for nothing?
The ‘gangs of Snow Hill’ point is a red herring as gangs have always congregated there since the 1950′s at least. What is the difference today?
The difference is that years ago youths were scared of the police. Not today.
They knew mum and dad would side with the police if they were brought home. Not today. More likely that mum and dad would make a complaint against the police thus bolstering the youth’s position.
Youths were scared of being reported by their teacher. Not today. Not bovvered…
Society, through good intentions no doubt, has blurred the boundaries and removed the power from the police, teachers and parents and handed it directly to a spotty 14 year old in a hoodie who thinks he is the next big whatever.
How ironic at the same time that the police were running the ‘Your child, Your responsibility’ campaign, urging parents to know where there child is at night, a policeman’s 15 year old daughter and her school freinds, were regularly having their photographs taken in Jersey’s night clubs and appearing on the internet – not causing trouble but they should not have been there and it does not help to promote good examples.
Perhaps teachers should look regularly at these internet sites (Jersey Events, Snapper, JerseyVIP etc), identify underage drinkers and flag these individuals up as youths who need some attention.
Report abuse
Simple – why not let them run wild at Fort Regent???
At least then it will be used for something and it’s very easy to police them.
Report abuse
Name and shame these feral scum and their ignorant parents. Make them and their parents wear bright overalls and have them clean up all the litter in town and on the beaches.
Forget all this nonsense about human rights, its about time these people were made to accept decent values and respect other people and property.
Go on, give it a try, otherwise we WILL end up just like the UK.
Report abuse
Being a 6ft4 black belt I don’t tend to feel threatened very often around town but I can understand how gangs of youths loitering can be intimidating, my experience is that for the most part if you ignore them they will do you the same courtesy.
The root of the problem however is not the youth themselves but a lack of extra curricular activites and the consequent underage drinking this causes, as neither the children nor their families can imagine a more constructive use of their time.
The reason retailers seem to be targeted could be because of they are in a position to easily furnish teenagers with alcohol and tobacco. As such, retailers can do much to help themselves in these situations.
When I visited Portsmouth recently, one shop had a sign stating that it would not serve people of school age during school hours, outside these times, a limit of three youths were allowed in the shop at any one time (of course the latter policy is only as good as the ability of the staff to enforce it).
A more consistent policy to ask for ID (e.g the Portman card) would also put children off from attempting to buy alcohol as well as security tagging the more expensive beverages and keeping them behind the counter where possible. (My experience is that teenage drinkers tend to covet spirits which they then dilute with soft drinks).
I campaigned very strongly when I was in school for an under 18 night at local clubs, which I understand are now enjoying some success but anecdotal evidence suggests that many youths are avoiding these venues as alcohol and tobacco are not permitted.
This is a touch confusing for me as I tend to go out in order to enjoy the company of others rather than become inebriated or fill my lungs full of tar(!)
Hopefully by weaning all of Jersey’s youth off alcohol we can prevent the inhibitions of a handful being lowered to the extent that they attack deserving members of the public, if not all retailers will have to suffer the burden of increased costs as stores employ full time security staff.
Report abuse
I’m 18 and left Jersey three years ago. I visited it this weekend and met up with a lot of old friends etc.
The message is the same, that there ‘appears’ there was nothing to do. For every rock climbing initiative or some equivalent for example (which ARE good in theory) there is little by way of incentive to try it. These activities also target middle class children with disposable income from there parents, but that is another point.
There is a horrendously poor level of communication between the older and younger generations in Jersey, especially with an island that holds a lot of opportunities for people.
Many parents will heap praise on their children but scorn the ‘youth’, they are one and the same. You see the good in your child but listen to the medias portrayal of the ‘youth’ as your guideline for the rest. It is lazy.
Youths are not perfectly behaved, letting them off every time helps no one, but overly harsh punishments are just met with rebelliousness (however little) behaviour later on as well. It is a third option that needs to be properly explored.
In my opinion this third option is to provide REAL incentives, opportunities, activities and other things to the younger generation. The good will of those who have tried must be praised but, without intentionally being rude, this is being done by the wrong people. You need people closer to their age, with similair references of popular culture, interests and stimulations, those who know WHAT it is they will respond positively too.
‘Hanging around’ Snow hill, the waterfront, skate parks or whatever has become conditioned in children (not just in Jersey) because the youth clubs are a bullying ground, the cinema is too expensive to go to all the time, and at every corner they are met with a negative reception. This is a two-way problem.
People get scared of youths wearing hoods, is it the majority that are violent by a hood or a minority that use it to conceal themselves, in adult crime statistically more so than youth crime.
Stop blaming kids for what goes on, you were the same and these kids respond to active stimulation more than any previous generation. Youth gigs, cheaper cinema tickets, closer community relationships and positions of responsibility, links between schemes and schools both primary and secondary are all beginnings, but someone needs to be appointed to put it into practice.
Report abuse
Nioleux (28) has hit the nail on the head.
Report abuse
My brother lives on Jersey and I visit regularly, it is heaven in comparison to London/ the South East. You are simply experiencing the changes in modern society that have been taking place around the world over the last 10 years. There are several issues in the UK that may be applicable to Jersey:-
1.) We were all kids once, I used to skateboard, ride BMX bikes and hang out in the park all the time BUT big difference. If an adult told us to get lost we would be fearful and respect that person. There is no respect for adults now, kids know their rights.
2.) Too many single parent families, the uneducated/ benefit claimants are breeding more than the educated/middle class. We are over-run in the UK with poorly educated single parent kids. aka “feral youth”. The middle class have a much higher tax burden under Labour gov’t.
3.) The European Union is responsible for a massive change in childrens rights, since the Childrens Act they have more rights than adults do. You can’t touch them, even when they damage your property or are trespasing.
4.) Alcohol, sold by supermarkets in the UK as loss leaders it is too easy for young kids 11 year old for example, to get hold of it. Once drunk, they don’t care about anything, will fight and even murder under the influence.
5.) The prisons in the UK are full, any minor and some major offences will only receive suspended sentences, community work orders or a fine (wow big wow).
My general impression is Jersey’s younger population has greater respect for adults than here in the UK, but as the social divide widens, that respect will diminish. There is also a major problem with drinking in Jersey, but you have more police that we do in the UK, and it seems more an issue amongst the adult population.
Welcome to 2009 society.
Report abuse
I have to say there is loads to do in Jersey – allbeit most activities are expensive. I think the problem is under achieving parents raising kids to be the same – no respect for themselves, no respect for anyone around them, no respect for anyone trying to teach them something. I think more rights should be given to teachers and the police so at least they can enforce rules amongst all children so those with disfunctional parents won’t get different treatment. Some parents argue with the police and teachers when they’re only trying to help – by giving the people that deal with our future generation more rights to discipline unruly behaviour then even children with crap parents have a chance to achieve something in their lives – not just go along the same free ride their parents are on.
Report abuse
Come down hard on the offenders it is nearly to late !!
Report abuse
Jersey being a self- governed Island should use the birch as it used to, that would stop this criminal behaviour.But of course, external interference stopped it.Let Jersey run it’s own affairs and the nosey parkers should start clearing up the mess they have made of their own countries!
Bernard Bigginton
Report abuse
Please put the power back into the hands of the Police and Teachers. As DA-DO RON says it’s almost too late!!
Report abuse
Back in the early sixties a P.E. teacher was driving past some mouthy yobs at Snow Hill who decided to bang on the roof of his Renault Dauphine.
Anyone remember what happened next?
He jumped out and decked the lot of them.
He had the backing then of the E.P. and virtually the entire island.
Imagine what would have happened to him nowadays.
Report abuse
Engrossing my earlier point re internet nightclub photographs, I believe that there is more than one way to skin a cat but it needs a little imagination and for people to pull together.
Teachers have a responsibility to the youth of this island; and not just in school. If a teacher is aware that a child is committing offences outside school that teacher has a duty to act because any damaging aspects of the childs life is likely to have an impact on their education and future.
Licensed premises have a legal duty to prevent underage people drinking on thier premises.
If teachers sat down for half an hour once or twice a week and went through the photographs taken in pubs and clubs and published on the internet on sites such as JerseyEvents, Snapper and JerseyVIP they would be able to identify those who are underage at their school.
The police would have evidence to prove that certain premises are lax in checking ages and would make those premises clamp down or loose their license.
The photographic evidence would also serve to allow the police to pay a visit to the parents of the youth to advise them about their childs exploits and to check whether further intervention is required (namely – do the parents need a proverbial boot up the backside.)
I believe that this would lead to a tightening up of the licensing trade in their endeavour to stop children drinking on their premises and would make some of these youths – even the ones that might pass as 18 – think twice about going to a pub or club where freelance photographers are roaming about.
A little paranoia goes a long way.
Report abuse
For those that are in defence of these kids, can you only enjoy yourself if you are hanging around in a group of 10+ people? Also, these are not kids just ‘hanging around’ they are causing criminal damage, which if it was your property you would probably feel entirely different about!
I never understood the need to hang around in large groups, I hung out in groups of 3/4 at a time. Kids egg each other on (in the same way large groups of drunks do) and that is why large groups are a problem. Police in the UK have power to move on large groups but really we should just educate kids to hang around in smaller groups unless they are within a venue.
We need to bring back respect for authority and respect for ourselves (going by the lengths of school skirts this is something Jersey kids seriously lack) and that is taught by parents ultimately, and at a VERY young age!
Report abuse
Kids can practically do any sport they want to do here in Jersey during their free time – save for snow sports, there are countless recreational parks, football fields, swimming pools, beaches and water, skateparks, athletics tracks, for them to do sport or carry out activities whatever their financial situation. Most kids are law abiding and use the facilities and are good so we cannot tarr them with the same brush as those who hand around town and do nothing. For those that do hang around town they do so because nobody stops them, they have no role model, maybe have difficult home lives, they are generally troubled kids who have fallen by the wayside. Rather then tarring all kids with the same brush, why not help the small percentage who hang around town and get drunk. We owe it to them to point them in the right direction and help them through their young lives. I dont think punishing them or using force will help the majority of them, instead they need positive help from their parents and from the government to push them in the right direction.
Report abuse
“Police officers are now focusing their efforts on patrolling the streets and shops on busy Saturdays and during the week after school.” Well, that’s something, I suppose; police officers on the beat during the day have become rarer than hens’ teeth over the past few years!
Report abuse
In my experience, vandalism and destroying property has been far worse with the 18 – 20 year olds with zuped up cars congregating in public lay-byes etc. than young teenagers!
It would be interesting to see what people classify as youth, teenager, kids – what age do you stop being a kid and start behaving like an adult – fairly late in life apparently!
Report abuse
Nioleux (no 40) Why on earth should teachers give up free time to do as you suggest- isn’t it for parents to know what their children are getting up to and whether they are at nightclubs or such like?I know it is a popular belief that teachers finish work at 3pm and have umpteen weeks holiday but in reality it doesn’t quite work that way and if they have family of their own I’m sure they prefer to spend free time with them and know what they are up to rather than policing other peoples kids!
However Nioleux I strongly agree with your previous comment (no 28) !!
Report abuse
Carolyn– I think you are on the wrong road 18-20 year olds love spending time zuping up there cars as you put it–when did you see these car drivers doing damage in town or the harbour?? young car owners love meeting and talking cars– I did the same thing many years ago when I was young I think you will find thay are not the ones doing the damage we are reading about–O TO BE YOUNG!!!but please come down HARD on who ever is doing the DAMAGE!!!
Report abuse
Julie (45). Who said anything about free time?
My comment relates to the various agencies responsible for child welfare pulling together.
I agree that parents should know what their children are up to and most probably do. If a parent viewed these sites and identified thier own children what exactly would be the result? Probably a word in their ear and an ineffective grounding.
The teachers know who their charges are and their ages. The police do not and the pubs and clubs obviously do not check adequately.
Part of the reason for the breakdown is that these youths succesfully drive a wedge between parent/teacher/police. The only way to beat this is to be seen to work together. Divide and rule.
The schools must play their part in ‘policing’ children. It is in their interests as well as the interests of society generally.
That said, I completely understand the pressures on teachers to go about their job of education but this part of a childs development is just as important and, if not dealt with, may negatively effect the educational aspect -making it just as difficult and time consuming for the teacher.
It is the process of identifying the wrong-doers that is important and perhaps in my post I should not have singled out just teachers in the school. If not a teacher, perhaps a school secretary/ assistant etc? Someone who knows the children in the school aged between, say, 14 and 18.
If the benefits to society outweigh the extra cost of employing someone for half an hour twice a week it would be a bargain surely.
Report abuse
Where are all the police officers? Years ago the States Police had a four shift system – I understand it has changed now. There were about 20 officers on each shift, so if you include abstractions for annual leave, training and sickness you’d still have a substaitial number of officers on duty at any one time. There used to be six beat areas in the town and officers covered all of these. Also there used to be at least three traffic cars, an area car, police van plus a number of motor cyclists. On top of that you’d have C.I.D. officers on duty, plus S.B. at the ports. You’d usually always have plenty of officers on the street and they’d have sorted out any nonsense that has been outlined in this news item.
Report abuse
Boris- well done -everyone should get a life.I guess no one else complaining about teenagers ever hung around with their mates of went out on their bikes-you now have a skateboard park,but now want to get rid of it because it’s not where youb want it-what do youwant these kids to do?disappear until they’re 40 and”respectable” pillars of society?So it’s ok for a bunch of drunken middle aged men to loiter around in town after one too many beers making lewd comments but kids-no!By all means,kids should have boundaries and be taught responsibility and respect – I know I do with my kids,but it does go both ways.Honestly-I am so glad I got out and got a life-there’s a few more peolpe who hould do the same!
Report abuse
Carolyn #44, I guess if people are hanging around in large groups behaving like louts then I probably do just say ‘aaaargh kids!’ so in those cases it can be anything up to about 20-21, which clearly isn’t really kids! But obviously in the shop story in the JEP it has been mid-teenagers.
“…taking the matter so seriously that they may prosecute unruly teenagers unless they do not curb their bad behaviour…” Apart from the obvious double negative error suggesting that kids will only get prosecuted if they do curb their bad behaviour, prosection shouldn’t be a MAY, it should be a DEFINITE! Criminal acts must be prosecuted regardless of who committed them. If they have a genuine defence let it come out in a court of law.
Also, Jersey should be scared. My friend works with young people (just your average secondary education kids) and few, if any, have plans for work and education in their later life since many seem to genuinely believe that something will just ‘come up’ or the situation will ‘sort itself out’ miraculously I guess.
But can we really blame them when people go on Big Brother and become international celebrities because of their stupidity or immorality or just simple nastiness?
Report abuse
#34 I have to disagree.
While crime is lower here than in some of the very poor areas I have worked in Glasgow, the overall respect level I see among Jersey young people is worse. And it really did shock me but it is a genuine observation. Even some of the kids that are doing well academically and whose parents believe them to be little angels I have seen showing utter disrespect to other humans (of all ages) and also to other people’s property. That is something I just find bizarre. Never mind that I have seen some such kids publicly offering favours to men for free and wearing clothes to school that just defy belief.
I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination but these kids will get a big shock when they go to the mainland and they can no longer get away with such behaviour because someone bigger and nastier is around. They need brought into line and taught to respect themselves and others and fast.
Report abuse
Sorry Leah but your comments concerning adults not getting pleasure from hanging around in large groups’ beggars’ belief: go into any pub in the island and you will see adults enjoying themselves in large groups. Would you rather eat in a busy restaurant than an empty one, who enjoys an empty nightclub?
Kids can be a pain in the arse however this wholesale demonisation is quite frankly ridiculous; kids in Jersey are no worse than anywhere else and they have always pushed the boundaries as far as school uniform is concerned so what!
It is self expression and independence that drives society forward not the regular reproduction of a bunch of clones!
Report abuse
Leah I totally agree with you – I grew up in Birmingham and the lack of respect amongst kids here is shocking… they have no respect for themselves, their parents or the law.
Report abuse
Leah Holmes you make some valid points but, you paint a picture that youngsters are a plague on society. What about the adult atroscities that have plagued out planet for thousands of years e.g. Hitler and the second world war, Mugabe and Zimbabwe, and countless other adult dictators who have committed war crimes crimes agaisnt the human race, what about the thousands of adults who break the laws every day all around the world, what about the 12 year residency rule – all imposed by adults and adult issues. I think this is of far more concern than a few kids chucking some stones at windows.
Report abuse
Kids today are exactly the same as they have always been! Some have respect and some dont! Like a few people have mentioned above, its not about the lack of things to do but the expense! Where are kids going to find money to go to the cinema, even the swimming baths cost a fortune and you have to book to get in! Its ridiculous!
When i was younger i hung around at snow hill with my friends from school and other schools…..does that make me and them all unruly teenagers! Certainly not! There is nowhere for them to go or anything much to do! The under 18′s doesn’t happen very often anymore, we had it once a week so we could socialise together in oneplace and dance and have fun!! What can these kids do apart from sit about at snow hill or lib square? Give them a break!! If you move them on from one place they will just find another so instead of that just give them somewhere to go!!
Report abuse
The amount of comments blaming eveything from “nothing to do” to “cheap alcohol” is unbelieveable. The bottom line is that there is plenty to do in Jersey with a number of different environments on your doorstep, to keep youth occupied and out of trouble – they DO NOT have to gather in town and cause havoc – that is THEIR decision. The youth “believe it or not” are responsible for their decisions, as we were when we were younger – so please stop making excuses and thinking of eveything to blame except for the kids themselves. The authorities have had their hands tied tighter and tighter with recommendations by do-gooders as to what punishment can be given to kids. Oh yeah the comment about Police on the beat – Yeah great lets see more of that – so please stop phoning them ( as a lot of my neighbours do ) for every little simple thing that would not even be entertained back in the mainland – and that in itself will free them up to be out on the beat – albeit the request for a clip round the ear cannot be handed out ( do-godders again), but at least they will be seen to be out and about.
Report abuse
Jaime Boylan, you say there is nowhere for them to go or anything much to do. Fair enough if that is your view but I have to ask.
Where do they want to go?
What do they want to do?
Report abuse
52 and 52, I don’t mean that at all. This article is about children which is why I have mentioned them!
Adults hang about in large groups in pubs of course, but inside a venue is not a problem like it is outside. Sometimes they do so outside and that is also a problem, but at least then the Police are likely to move them on or break up the group, they are less inclined to do so with children.
And I do take great issue with anything that consitutes criminal damage, even if it is just ‘kids throwing stones at windows’! People (of ALL ages) have to be punished for anything that our law constitutes as being a criminal offence, otherwise there is no reason for anyone to obey the law!
I really think it’s a bit extreme bringing Hitler and Mugabe into a conversation about making children take responsibility for their criminal actions. Just because someone is not a mini-Hitler does not mean they should be allowed to do whatever they want, to whoever they want, whenever they want does it?
Report abuse
And for anyone who thinks this generation aren’t any different… of course they are, and it’s our fault!
We have subjected them to constant suggestions that just by being an idiot, by being violent, by being rude, or by being excessive in your behaviour in some way that you can get fame and fortune without having to study or lift a finger to real work.
Yes there were always people hoping to become footballers or pop stars but not from just auditioning for a reality TV show, they would still have to work their way up through the ‘ranks’. Most previous generations grew up believing they would have to work to live… ask around and there are a scary number of kids who don’t believe that is the case anymore. And who can blame them for believing fame and fortune could just ‘come to them’, everything on TV suggests it could be them.
Report abuse
#57 Nicoleux…
I think they want us to suggest it all to them to save them the ‘work’ of having to think. It must all be provided easily and free! Cause all things for us adults are easy and free
Fact is that alcohol is there and drugs are there and no matter what you provide if it is without alcohol or drugs some kids just won’t touch it. (Plenty of adults wouldn’t given those circumstances either).
Report abuse
Like i said, its not the places but the expense Nioleux!! If they could go the swimming baths or the pics or even a cafe for kids then it would keep them out of trouble and off the streets!!
I dont see what the big deal is, at least they are outside getting fresh air into their lungs!! Isn’t that a good thing! Maybe they aren’t doing it in the most convenient of places but its better than them being stuck in doors watching tele and playing computer games!! Places like Sounds Workshop La Motte Street should be commended and their should be more places like that for the youth to attend! Regardless of these places kids will be kids, they will hang about in crownds and kick footballs in the streets, they will try and buy drink before they are old enough….we all did it!! Let them get on with it!! As i said before when they are bad punish them other than that let them be!!
Report abuse
Boris, you have kids, you ust know that kids thrive on rules. No-one is saying be stupidly strict but there is no harm in school uniform and laying down rules as to what is acceptable. Rules get relaxed usually because adults get lazy enforcing the ones that already exist… that’s the error. If rules are enforced the majority will obey them with the real minority being a problem.
Report abuse
fair enough some kids do not cause trouble – but the majority in town after 9pm do and unless the police or teachers are allowed to give suitable punishment to unruly behaviour the kids will just continue not to give a damn
Report abuse
I can tell you that the kids who constantly wake my baby up by shouting wearing and kicking rubbish around (yes, just hanging around) outside my house every night seem to have enough money to buy cigarettes, cider and fast food but don’t appear to be receptive to my suggestions to utilise their money more constructively to instead go for a swim or see a movie.
They seem to be happier swearing, spitting and complaining that life doesn’t provide for their multitudinous needs.
Funny that.
Report abuse
Well said again Leah (60)
give em drugs. They’ll be happy then.
Report abuse
I am from the continent and I have watched the developments in your taxhaven for months now in disbelief. A society that treats their children as bad as yours should not be surprised by what they give you back. Contrary to the belief of most of the comments on here children are NOT the enemy. They are part and expression of the society they come from. They are the mirror to your actions.
Almost every comment portrays them as a nuissance and a threat. How could it have come that far???
Report abuse
It is not the role of the police or teachers to take on what should be the natural role of the parents. Police should be left to protect society and teachers left to educate our children.
Large numbers of todays children seeem to have been abandoned by parents who seem to absolve themselves of parental responsibility far too readily.
Society should not be asking children what they want, because they dont know.Never having had any direction from parents. I actually feel sorry for this generation, its not their fault that they cannot engage and cope. Parents should be made to take responsibility. In the natural world the offspring of most species are carefully nurtured, protected and trained with one aim, to protect and ensure the survival of the species. They manage to do this without teachers or police bacause abdicating parental responsibility is not an option.
Report abuse
Johanna, it’s just society everywhere as a new generation of ‘parents’ are more interested in themselves than their kids. Jersey cannot be, and is not, exempt from this.
I might write on here but on the street I do not assume any threat from kids and I will smile or whatever as I would anyone else. I know some great kids here and I do everything I can to encourage and support them even if their parents are failing somewhat.
None of this changes the fact that from inside my home I witness some running wild and have had to call the police on numerous occasions. It’s not Jersey that is the problem, it’s parents! Some of these kids are just 13/14 but are still out at 11pm (and on a school night). Kids are given every opporunity and the benefit of the doubt by most people I reckon, and as Nioleux says, these kids have enough money for drugs, cigarettes and alcohol but not for legal activities it seems.
Report abuse