Jersey to Create More Than a Dozen Police Roles to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

More than a dozen new police positions will be created in Jersey as part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, ministers have confirmed.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Senator Helen Miles announced the new roles in response to a question from Deputy Samantha Gleave about how the £5 million allocated in the budget to address the issue would be spent.

Miles said the additional staff would increase capacity across the system to meet current demand.

The funding will also support several government departments, including Justice and Home Affairs, in introducing new laws designed to protect women.

In April, a report by Jersey Police highlighted “significant increases in violence against women and girls” on the island.

Miles said almost £500,000 would be allocated to staff training to address existing operational pressures and provide additional capacity.

The new positions will include eight detective constables, a digital forensic investigator, a digital forensic technician and a telecommunications specialist.

The minister said most of the funding would support work involving direct contact with victims. It would also cover training, digital forensic services and technology to strengthen the response to violence against women and girls.