Meanwhile, there has been a theft of 'a substantial amount of money' during a burglary in a shop at Casemates, with a witness appeal issued by police.

The shop faces the Police Office at Casemates, which is eliciting views as to where does crime prevention come into all this.

In highlighting the importance of crime prevention, the RGP refers to part of a speech delivered in 1829 by the first Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Sir Richard Mayne which included the phrase, "The primary object of an efficient Police force is the prevention of crime, the next that of detection and punishment of offenders if crime is committed. To these ends all the efforts of the police must be directed“.

They add that 'Crime Prevention is everyone’s business and should always play an important part of our daily routine. There is nothing truer than “prevention being better than the cure” and in relation to crime, prevention should be at the top of everyone’s agenda'.

Yet, the public perception is that in Gibraltar today there is a lack of crime prevention, and questions are being asked if this is a reason why there are so many robberies and thefts.

The latest policing plan states that the RGP will 'provide sound advice on crime prevention, making it hard for victims to be targeted.' And they say that they will also 'prioritise the fight against crime...to further improve levels of detection.'

But a lack of police viibility may, in fact, be encouraging robberies and thefts taking place. And the irony of it all is that the policing plan says that the RGP will 'reduce the fear of crime by increasing the visibility of officers on proactive patrols.'

So, what game is the RGP playing at, apart for asking for more police recruits and having multi-million pounds poured into their coffers. What for? There is no point in allowing crime to take place before action is taken, the policy must be to discourage crime taking place.

Meanwhile, Jadan Lopez 18 and a local juvenile pleaded guilty at the Magistrates Court to a joint charge of burglary and criminal damage at the NAAFI building.

The break-in occurred in the early hours of May 7 2019 after which the youths forced open two gambling machines in the bar area and stole approximately £600 causing extensive damage to the machines in excess of £2,000.

Additionally they gained entry into a shop behind the bar and stole numerous bottles of perfume, toiletries and 105 cartons of tobacco, with an estimated total value of over £3,300.

The police adds that the perpetrators were arrested later that same day by the RGP and the items recovered.

They will be reappearing at the Magistrates Court for sentencing on May 29.

WITNESS APPEAL

Police investigating the theft of a substantial amount of money during a burglary at Scala Ltd on Wednesday afternoon, are interested in speaking with a male who was in the shop immediately before the burglary took place. 'We believe that his assistance will be invaluable to the investigation and urge him to contact us at New Mole House Police Station.

'We also appeal to members of the public who may have been in Casemates Square between 1530hrs and 1615hrs Wednesday, and may have seen this individual; or anyone who is aware of his identity, to contact police on telephone (+350) 20072500 or email cid@royalgibraltarpolice.gi'

10-05-19 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR