Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of crime, Fitz Bailey, believes a crisis exists among the youth amid a worrying upsurge of criminal activities across that group.
DCP Bailey says over the last six years, the number of people under the age of 18 who have been responsible for serious crimes including murders, rape, shootings and assault has been noticeably increasing.
"[Some] 3,621 young people were killed by other young people. That's a crisis; 2,745 of our citizens were shot and injured by young people; and then rape - 1846 young people 18 and under were responsible for over 10,000 incidents of assault. For firearm offences, it was in excess of 7,000," he bemoaned.
The senior cop said, to cauterise the situation, there is an "urgent need for change, for empowerment, and for a renewed sense of purpose among the young people". This, he said, should lead to them making conscious choices that lead to positive outcomes.
DCP Bailey was speaking at a recent graduation exercise at Magotty High School in St. Elizabeth.
11 июл 2024
