Crimes committed by and against the country’s young people are on the increase, according to Police Commissioner Francis Forbes, who has urged members of the society to take a stand against anti-social behaviour in schools, and crime in general.

“We are experiencing a growing trend in youth crimes and anti-social behaviour. We can do a lot more in our schools to make the learning environment safer,” he said.

Last August, a Jamaica Teachers’ Association report highlighted a worsening pattern of violence in local schools, including attacks on teachers and the murder and rape of students.

The report, written by Patrick Smith, the JTA’s secretary for teachers and schools services, called for urgent government action to stem the wave of campus violence, including the removal of troublesome students and the restriction of entry to school premises.

According to the police commissioner, the entire nation needs to get involved.

“When, as a nation, we wake up and decide to take a stance against crime and anti-social behaviour, firstly in our learning institutions, then we will be taking a giant step towards ensuring our society and prosperity as well as that of future generations,” he told students at the Police Schools’ Essay Competition presentation ceremony at his Old Hope Road Kingston offices last Friday.

According to figures supplied by the police chief:

. 9.5 per cent (or 692) of the victims of major crimes reported in 2002 were committed against persons in the age group zero to 15 years old;

. 11 per cent (or 789) of the victims were between 16 and 20 years old.

. over that same period, 2.6 per cent (or 91) of those arrested for major crimes were in the 12 to 15 age group, and

. 21 per cent (or 53) were between 16 and 20 years old.

It would take a strong spirit of voluntarism in areas such as mentoring, mediation, counselling and restorative justice to regain control, Commissioner Forbes said.

Pointing to the increasing number of youth crimes, he said his data had shown that last year three per cent (117) of all persons arrested for major crimes were in the 12 to 15 age group, while 22 per cent (820) were between 16 and 20 years old.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force is reaching out to the youth, through initiatives like its annual essay competition. The police community relations project is open to all schools and epitomises the value of excellence, hard work and commitment.

This year’s essay topics were:

. Can members of the force ideally be seen as social agents of change,

. How can migration of criminals from one community to the other be curtailed, and

. What can I do to prevent crime in my community.

Arranged in three categories, the essays were marked by teachers from Mico College and the education ministry.

Winners in the under-12 category include Shanni Mohan of Morant Bay High School, who copped the Commissioner of Police shield for the most outstanding essay, the Air Jamaica Best Boy Shield and two airline tickets to a destination of his choice.

His runners-up were Rhea Taylor and Shanique Campbell.

In the under-15 category, Anna-Kaye Robinson of Merl Grove High School in Kingston walked away with the McDonalds trophy. In a tie for second place were Kemmisha Nesbitt, also of Merl Grove, and Kedron Ellis of St Mary High School, while Donnette Wright of the Heart/Trust NTA Clarendon took the Mall Jewellers Trophy in the under-19 category. Second and third place winners were Melissa Carpenter of Glenmuir High and Shaeneak Scott of Ascot High School in Clarendon.