Children as young as 12 involved in joyriding in Jersey

Children as young as 12 have been among the 30 arrests made for car theft in Jersey in 2025.

The Chief officer of Jersey Police says there is a group of young people 'intent on taking cars and driving them dangerously around the island'.

Robin Smith told Channel 103 that the youngest children who've been arrested in connection with joyriding offences have been passengers in the stolen vehicle, rather than the primary thief.

The average age of those taken into custody for stealing cars is 16.  24 of the 30 arrests were of young people aged 12-17.

Read: Police warn of joyriders as two vehicles are taken

Police have revealed a link between cars being stolen for the 'thrill' of it and a recent rise in bike thefts, including of electric bikes.

Chief of Police Robin Smith with Jersey's new speed camera and Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan

The most recent car theft offences were reported on New Year's Day, when two cars were taken from outside a home on St Saviour's Hill.

Robin Smith says so far this year, there have been no further reported incidents, and he feels his force has taken control of the situation.

"We saw a trend of the back end of last year, where we have a group of young people who are intent on taking cars and driving them very dangerously around the island. Of course, it is so, so dangerous  -not only for the people in the car but other road users and pedestrians.

"We haven't got an extent where thousands of these things are happening daily, but we do have a current trend, and I'm hopeful, given the trend so far into 2026, that we've been able to deal with that.

"Some of that will be a result of some action that some of my colleagues have done in terms of arrests and other things, but I do think that islanders listen to important messages."

He says many of the offenders have been identified.  One appeared in the Youth Court yesterday (6 January.

The police force is reminding islanders of securing their vehicle - as those commonly targeted have had the key left or concealed inside - and to lock bikes and ebikes.

"Tonight, when you come back work, I urge you please lock those cars up because, by doing so, you will effectively be keeping young people safe. 

"You could also invalidate your insurance (if your unsecured car is taken)  It is just a sensible thing to do.

"Jersey is a very, very safe place but my main concern is that we become complacent to that fact, and I won't allow that to happen.

"There is enormous danger in this, and enormous cost to the island in terms of the investigation, the forensic investigation, the judicial process. 

"Every crime has quite a significant cost to the island."