32. Written evidence from Jocelyn Davies
AM
There are several general issues in relation
to this topic which concern me and perhaps you would be so kind
as to raise them during your question sessions. We are informed
that crime is at its lowest for two decades. This is very welcome
and the latest British crime survey seems to confirm this. However,
fear of crime has increased, as has the number of telephone calls,
made by the public, to the police service. If crime figures are
down, why has the number of calls to the police significantly
increased?
This may be linked to the issue of Anti-social
Behaviour and the increased fear of young people. I am concerned
that young people are increasingly being portrayed as a group
to be afraid of and much of their activity seen in this context.
Are we, as a society, in danger of demonising all young people
unjustifiably and at the same time putting them in this very powerful
position of being feared?
My other concern is the failure rate of prosecutions.
Certainly in Gwent, the detection rate is very high, yet the recent
Crown Prosecution Service inspection report demonstrates that
a significant number of prosecutions are unsuccessful. This is
not acceptable and is not currently explained. Either the prosecution
service is not sufficiently robust, or innocent people are being
prosecuted. Either way the system is failing the victims of crime.
I would be most grateful if you could suggest
to your committee that these matters are explored.
14 December 2004
| 
