‘Prosecuting young vandals could damage their future life choices’ – police boss
Richard Evans, local democracy reporter
Young vandals should not be prosecuted as a criminal record could limit their life choices, says the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.
Speaking at an economy and place overview and scrutiny committee, Andy Dunbobbin told Conwy councillors it was important to understand the reasons behind vandalism.
He was taking questions from Conwy councillors at the economy and place overview scrutiny committee when Cllr Simon Croft raised the topic.
Cllr Croft said: “We’ve had some reports in our committee recently about extensive and very expensive vandalism to our public toilets, which has meant we’ve had to take a number of them out of service.
“And we’ve been told that even though we have captured these events on CCTV and even have real witnesses, council staff themselves, there has been an unwillingness to take it to prosecution, and this is something we really need to have done and made an example of to stop this rash of vandalism to public facilities.”
‘Poor choices’
But Mr Dunbobbin said it was important police took an approach that wouldn’t damage young people who had made “poor choices”.
“I’ve read on social media. It is quite topical with the toilets,” he said.
“I touched on this during my presentation regarding anti-social behaviour hotspots. I’m sure the force will be aware of them.
“I think there is action being taken. Although people might not be getting prosecuted for that, we need to try and understand the reasons why it is taking place as well, because we can’t necessarily arrest our way out of problems.
“If you just keep re-arresting people, you are not really getting to the crux of why it is happening in the first place, so I really would look into seeing what’s going on with our youth offending teams as well, and I’m sure the appropriate referrals are being made and closely monitored by the force as well.”
‘Divert’
He added: “So not necessarily having to come down firmly although… it’s probably best to try and divert… I would have thought it would be primarily our younger people, and for a moment of madness or really making a poor choice, I don’t think it’d be particularly fair for them to have the significant effect of having a criminal record (that would) limit their life choices in the future.
“We should be trying to find out why and addressing that as well.”
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Depends on the degree and frequency of vandalism. If its a ‘one-off’ bit of stupidity a warning might be appropriate. But repeat vandals causing expensive damage need a criminal record so as to put others off doing the crime.
.. or just use the community service approach and make them repair or/and clean up the damage caused by their kind.
No wonder there are so many cases of vandalism. There is a total lack of respect for people or property by many of those vandalising property and verbally abusing anyone who dare to explain what is acceptable behaviour and what is not.
Is the Crime Commissioner a believer in restitution by those who carry out these acts? These people believe themselves to be above the law and feel entitled to act as they wish without any consequences for their actions!
Pliny said more or less the same
It isn’t the vandals that are the problem, it’s the people who encourage them. We need to prosecute the evandalists.
Nice to see that brains are being engaged.
Because locking people up works Soooo well.
Ask any Norweigan.
Yet you can get a Non-Crime Hate Incident recorded against your name for a ‘hurty’ tweet’. This guy typifies the wet liberal left.
The police do not want to criminalise? I’m sure this concept could be greatly extended beyond young people. Drunk driving, arson, rape, house breaking, GBH, perhaps even murder if it’s a nice murder, could be addressed via sympathetic actions, discussing options, personal talking programs. This would ease pressure on the courts, the prisons and really most importantly, the police themselves. It must be very traumatic arresting people, especially mates and on many occasion, even fellow officers. “Moments of madness” happen everywhere, not just to teenagers, and emphatically not just on Clapham common! Well done Mr Dunbobbing, the policeman’s lot is… Read more »
One man’s street artist is an other man’s vandal.
I’m totally gobsmacked , and speechless by the comments of this police commissioner. This is the problem with society we have now in the UK it’s seems committing crimes is not a serious matter and punishment is not necessary. How on earth this commissioner got his job unbelievable maybe he like Labour said nothing before being in post. Whats happened to respecting peoples property and respecting people perhaps he might star answering that question. Vandalism may have something to do with your upbringing but that’s no excuse not to be punished for defacing or damaging anyone’s property. I suggest he… Read more »
Community Service, clean and repair with weekend curfews?
I suspect if his property suffered vandalism and graffiti, there would be no stone left unturned in the seeking of the culprits and prosecution to follow.