WATCH: Guernsey Police aware of fights organised through social media

Thursday 12 May 2022

Police believe the La Mare de Carteret fight on Sunday (8 May) was organised through social media.

Four people – a 21-year-old and three young people - have now been arrested after an “incident of large scale-disorder” took place at the La Mare de Carteret playing fields.

Inspector Liam Johnson read a police statement earlier today (12 May) outlining the steps Guernsey Police are now taking to combat “an increase in disorder that is linked with juveniles”.

“We believe that these fights were arranged via social media among school-aged young people, which is why so many gathered at the field – the majority of which came to watch,” he said.

“This is not the first time we have been aware of fights being arranged through social media platforms, particularly snapchat, but this weekend was on a far larger scale.”

WATCH: Inspector Johnson’s police statement in full.

The majority of those at the scene were aged between 14 and 18 and Inspector Johnson said Guernsey Police have seen an increase in disorder linked to juveniles.

“There has been well publicised disorder at the bathing pools, damage and thefts at hedge veg boxes, and kiosks have been damaged. We have also seen a number of these aforementioned arranged fights,” he said.

“All of these incidents can be linked to young people.”

Guernsey Police want to make it clear that the young community shouldn’t be demonised, but there is an issue with a minority that needs to be addressed.

“Before the incident on Sunday, Guernsey Police were beginning a piece of work looking to reduce the risk behaviours taking place among young people on the island,” said Inspector Johnson.

“This work is focused on a handful of specific locations, however the disorder has not been limited to these locations alone.”

When questioned, Inspector Johnson said the bus terminus and Les Genats Estate are two locations known for disorderly conduct.

Pictured: The incident on Sunday at the La Mare de Carteret playing fields involved roughly 200 people.

Guernsey Police will be ensuring there are patrols in problem areas, while continuing to work with partner agencies that support young people.

Inspector Johnson concluded: “I would just like to make really clear again that we are not seeking to criticise young people. 

“We are very lucky in Guernsey to have very many young people who are law-abiding and positively contribute to our community. This is a minority of young people only, but it is unacceptable and we will seek to be proactive in our response.”

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