COMMISSIONER OF Police Francis Forbes last week said there has been an increase in the number of teenagers involved in major crimes. He made the disclosure while addressing a group of teachers and students at the presentation and awards ceremony of the Police National Schools Essay Competition, 2004, held at his Old Hope Road, St. Andrew office.
"The year 2003 saw 117 or 3.1 per cent of all persons arrested for major crimes falling in the 12-15 age group, and 820 or 22 per cent falling in the 16-20 age group. We are experiencing a growing trend in youth crimes and anti-social behaviour," Forbes said.
According to police statistics, in 2002, 692 or 9.5 per cent of the victims of major crimes reported were committed against persons within the age group 0-15, while 798 or 11 per cent of the victims fell in the 16-20 age group.
Persons arrested for major crimes for the same year, 91 or 2.6 per cent fell in the 12-15 age group and 753 or 21 per cent in the 16-20 age group.
"This calls for a multi-faceted response and co-operation from all well thinking members of our society," Forbes said, adding that "it requires a strong spirit of voluntarism in the area of mentoring, mediation, counselling and restorative justice and I am sure we are not short of trained persons in each category here in Jamaica".
The Commissioner said the presentation and awards ceremony was indicative of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's continuing commitment to youth development and upliftment.
