Crime and Vandalism Corporate Policy
OCTOBER 2009
SCRUTINY REVIEW
INVESTIGATING VANDALISM
Page 1 of 52
“The real significance of crime is in its being a breach of faith with the community of mankind” Joseph Conrad, „Lord Jim‟, Chapter 14 (1900)
CONTENTS Page CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD RECOMMENDATIONS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 INTRODUCTION VANDALISM IN THE GUERNSEY CONTEXT THE IMPACT OF VANDALISM CORPORATE POLICY AND COORDINATION DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AMENITIES AND SOCIAL INCLUSION ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT REPORTING AND DETECTION PENALTIES AND CONSEQUENCES 3 5 8 10 17 21 24 26 34 38 45 51
10 PUBLIC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Page 2 of 52
CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD suggesting that vandalism should be addressed through a specific corporate policy, but the report has highlighted that there is a need for better coordination of existing social initiatives in recognition that they are all interconnected. Broader strategic plans, for example those seeking to address drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, social inclusion and crime and disorder generally, also stand to impact positively on criminal damage. Monitoring these far reaching effects will be key to demonstrating the performance of social strategies. This report does not suggest spending more money; most of the recommendations pick up on existing strategic commitments and seek to make sure these are delivered. Of course continued allocation of resources is far from certain and social policies tend to be the easier targets for cost cutting. More robust performance indicators and monitoring will assist in linking initiatives to tangible results and keeping in mind the long-term costs to the community of possible short-term cuts in expenditure. Fear of crime can be as damaging as an actual crime to an individual. On our small densely populated island, groups of young people can appear quite threatening, but as with other small communities, the dynamic or tension between the ages can be distorted because of the close proximity in which we all live. The review found that
SCRUTINY REVIEW
INVESTIGATING VANDALISM
Page 1 of 52
“The real significance of crime is in its being a breach of faith with the community of mankind” Joseph Conrad, „Lord Jim‟, Chapter 14 (1900)
CONTENTS Page CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD RECOMMENDATIONS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 INTRODUCTION VANDALISM IN THE GUERNSEY CONTEXT THE IMPACT OF VANDALISM CORPORATE POLICY AND COORDINATION DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AMENITIES AND SOCIAL INCLUSION ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT REPORTING AND DETECTION PENALTIES AND CONSEQUENCES 3 5 8 10 17 21 24 26 34 38 45 51
10 PUBLIC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Page 2 of 52
CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD suggesting that vandalism should be addressed through a specific corporate policy, but the report has highlighted that there is a need for better coordination of existing social initiatives in recognition that they are all interconnected. Broader strategic plans, for example those seeking to address drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, social inclusion and crime and disorder generally, also stand to impact positively on criminal damage. Monitoring these far reaching effects will be key to demonstrating the performance of social strategies. This report does not suggest spending more money; most of the recommendations pick up on existing strategic commitments and seek to make sure these are delivered. Of course continued allocation of resources is far from certain and social policies tend to be the easier targets for cost cutting. More robust performance indicators and monitoring will assist in linking initiatives to tangible results and keeping in mind the long-term costs to the community of possible short-term cuts in expenditure. Fear of crime can be as damaging as an actual crime to an individual. On our small densely populated island, groups of young people can appear quite threatening, but as with other small communities, the dynamic or tension between the ages can be distorted because of the close proximity in which we all live. The review found that