Ascension : POLICE ACTIVITY REPORT
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 29.04.2004 (Article Archived on 13.05.2004)

First of all I would like to welcome to the Detachment, Constable Carlin Yon who is accompanied by his family, Special Police Constables Debbie Roden and Karen Williams and wish them every success.

First of all I would like to welcome to the Detachment, Constable Carlin Yon who is accompanied by his family, Special Police Constables Debbie Roden and Karen Williams and wish them every success.  

I arrived on Ascension in May 2002 for a two year tour of duty, which will shortly come to an end and its time for me to leave. My family and I will be leaving for St. Helena on or about 31 May.

For the past two years we have been faced with some challenges, some of which we learnt valuable lessons and we were able to move on to develop and improve.  We have worked towards performance targets, the fight to reduce crime, community policing, partnership approach and many other issues.  I think it is fair to say that Ascension Island is a quiet and a safe place to live but it has its minor crimes that need driving down, with effective working and partnership is the key to this.

Over the last two years, I am pleased to report that we have reduced crime and road traffic accidents as set out in this report.  In order to achieve best value for money we set realistic targets to coincide with a financial year which runs from the 1^st of April to the 31^st of March of the following year.  For the year 2002 targets were not to record no more than 32 crimes and no more than 30 road traffic accidents. At the end of that year we had achieved those targets. Crime was reduced to 27 and road traffic accidents to 20.

For the year 2003 we reduced our targets from the previous year. The targets set were not to record no more than 30 crimes and no more than 28 road traffic accidents. At the end of that year we again achieved our targets. Crime was reduced to 18 and road traffic accidents to 23. This year’s targets are to record no more than 25 crimes and to record no more than 26 road traffic accidents.

I know that the Detachment will continue its fight to reduce crime and accidents over the years to come and I wish them every success. I am confident that our community will give their full support.

Sergeant Clarence Roberts is on island again and under going training in Port Security. Constable Yon from the detachment is also participating in this training. Clarence will be also delivering training to the detachment in, Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), Achieving Best Evidence and awareness on the new Sexual Offence Act.  

I would like to take this opportunity in thanking my colleagues and our community for all the support that you have shown me and I wish you all every success for the future.

From my family and I thank you and good bye.

Sergeant Tony Clingham