A Senator is calling for higher levels of Police recruitment and better facilities in the fight against crime.

Sen. Gina Spence-Farmer yesterday told the Senate that Police were too understaffed to deal with the rising crime rate on the Island. Pointing to an increase in violent assaults and burglaries, she said: “There is a lot of concern about the risk of attacks and break-ins. People are afraid and some of the concern comes from the Police department being understaffed in specific areas.

“There’s been a lot of recruitment and Police officers coming on line in recent months, but there’s also a lot of officers finishing their contracts and leaving the Island, so there’s a revolving door taking place.”

She said the Police often had to work in “poor” environments, which added to the problem.

“The Hamilton Police station in particular is in a state,” said Sen. Spence-Farmer.

“There’s been some paint put on the walls and there’s works taking place to start to build a new Police station, but to have our officers coming into an environment that poor affects morale and energy. It also adds to the stresses of a lack of manpower.”

She added: “Because of the lack of manpower a lot of officers are having to work overtime and so the cost to the taxpayer is certainly something we have to take into account. The latest data shows that crime is spiralling out of control in many areas. Women are feeling violated from people breaking in and from finding their personal belongings thrown around.

“A lot of break-ins have also happened when people are in and they have awakened to people standing over them. Many of our seniors are home alone and just don’t have the mobility to address someone climbing in through the window.”

She said: “We all have a role to play in combating crime, and as the tourist season draws near and cruise ships begin to disembark there’s going to be many more people. The Police can only do so much with what they have to deal with, and an attack on a tourist is an attack on our country.”

Sen. Spence-Farmer added: “A lot of the crimes are being committed by younger people. We should certainly look at what we’re providing for first time offenders and the youngsters who find themselves in this predicament.

“But it requires everyone in the community working together to fight crime.”

After the Senate session, Sen. Spence-Farmer told The Royal Gazette: “The recent crime statistics are shocking but the Police station is falling apart.

“The Government hasn’t put in place a comprehensive plan to address crime. However, it makes no sense putting legislation in place if we don’t have the manpower.

“When you look at the data, crime has increased immensely. We have to get more Police in these risk areas. Wouldn’t it make sense to allocate officers in the areas where it’s most needed?

“People are very much afraid, and if you have criminals breaking in when people are at home and someone reacts, well that could be the difference between life and death.”