FOCUS: St Peter Port violence, offenders taking our privileged position for granted

Tuesday 05 January 2021

Express has reported on nine assaults in and around the Lower Pollet and the North Plantation since the end of lockdown, while there are many other cases currently under investigation.

The North Plantation has previously been described as a boxing ring by Magistrate's Court Judge Gary Perry during the sentencing of two men in July.

Guernsey Police do not keep statistics to hand on where and when assaults take place, so we cannot determine whether this represents an increase on previous years. 

Pictured: The North Plantation was once described as a "boxing ring".

“The island’s night-time economy is largely centred around a couple of concentrated points in Town. When issues arise, they tend to do so near these areas,” said a spokesperson for Guernsey Police.

“This is not a new trend, and Guernsey Police recognise that in its strategy. Regular patrols ensure there is high police visibility in these areas, particularly at key times. This is further emphasised on weekend evenings.”

We reported on three assaults in October at the North Plantation, one instance saw such an escalating level of violence that passersby felt threatened by it.

Meanwhile, in the Lower Pollet, alcohol consumption has been an aggravating factor in almost all cases, and the area sees heavy footfall after the bars and clubs close.

Some offences have been racially aggravated, and others saw people not even remembering what had happened.

More recently, police have put out appeals from witnesses following incidents that saw a woman punched in the head outside the Randy Paddle and a violent altercation in the Lower Pollet. 

Pictured: Express has seen many offenders come before the Magistrate's Court.

Our privileged position allows us to socialise in pubs and clubs when people in the UK and Jersey can’t. During sentencing, it has been stressed how much of a shame it is when people take this for granted.

Despite all this, Guernsey Police stresses that St Peter Port is perfectly safe at night. 

“Guernsey Police can assure islanders that cases of violence are not an everyday occurrence, and Town remains a safe place to be.”

Pictured top: The mixing of high spirits and booze can be a dangerous cocktail for some.