Funding boost for community policing

Thousands of pounds of extra funding will be spent on community policing and investigating crimes involving the online world, a police force has said.

An amendment to Jersey Police Authority's budget was voted through by States members on Wednesday to increase funding by £240,000 from January.

Chair of the Jersey Police Authority, Simon Harman, said £47,000 would be used by the Digital Forensics Unit and £193,000 for the Police Community Safety Policing Team.

He said islanders wanted to see uniformed officers on the streets, and digital investment would help speed-up investigations. It is unclear where the funding will come from.

Mr Harman said digital forensics was "central" to modern investigations and "strengthening this capability supports faster case progression, reduces delays, and helps deliver swifter justice for victims and witnesses".

"Equally, investing in community policing supports prevention and early intervention working with schools, local communities and partners to reduce harm before it escalates, build trust, and maintain visible reassurance," he said.

Mr Harman said: "This is a positive step that reinforces the island's wider approach to community safety and prevention."

He said "the public want to see uniformed officers, they want to engage with them".

He said the government had been clear that this was a targeted measure supporting vital areas for the public, rather than a full response to every staffing pressure in 2026.

"The Jersey Police Authority welcomes this constructive, proportionate approach and will continue to work with ministers and stakeholders to support sustainable, efficient and effective policing for the island," he said.

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