'Significant increase' in violence against women

Jersey has seen "significant increases in violence against women and girls", the island's police chief has said.

His comments come after the States of Jersey Police released its annual report. A separate report published last week found funding for violence against women and girls (VAWG) support services had been cut despite "unprecedented demand".

Chief Officer Robin Smith said Jersey remained "a safe place to live, work and visit" but warned there was "no place for complacency".

He said an action plan on VAWG, alongside changes in the law, had "strengthened protections for women and girls and improved the system-wide response".

Higher reporting levels showed growing confidence in police and partner agencies, but added this also brought "an obligation to deliver high-quality, victim-focused investigations", he added.

"Our officers and staff work tirelessly to keep islanders safe and to bring those who cause harm to justice," he said.

The annual report said police officers and staff took 50% more sick days in 2025 than in 2024 - losing about 23,000 working hours. It said work was under way to counter the increase.

It said applicants from 18 different countries had applied to join the force in 2025, with the majority men. The report said "positive action" would be taken in 2026 to address the gender imbalance.

It also highlighted progress with young people in care. Police recorded 20% fewer incidents of children from the care system going missing, while recorded crimes linked to those young people fell from 273 in 2024 to 181 in 2025.

Simon Harman, chair of the Jersey Police Authority, said the force's work helped ensure Jersey remained "one of the safest places to live, work and visit".

He said the authority would continue to focus on making sure policing on the island was "well governed, properly resourced and responsive to the needs of the public".

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