Policing 'a top priority' for Onchan election candidates

Policing is among the top priorities for the two candidates in this month’s Onchan Commissioners by-election.

Residents have become increasingly concerned with anti-social behaviour in the area.

Officers are still investigating a specific case after a woman died following a disturbance in Onchan Park in August.

Kim Corlett and David Quirk both say they are keen to address the issue of youth crime if elected on October 22.

Mr Quirk has criticised the police, claiming ‘early intervention’ is needed to clamp down on the issue.

He said: "The police have been poor. I’m sorry to say that of our constabulary.

"We need to nip this in the bud. Early intervention gives you a lot of credit in the future because these juveniles, when they get to a certain age, it’s not just probation anymore, or custody; it’s prison."

Anti-social behaviour is also high on Ms Corlett’s agenda, who believes additional measures can be brought in.

"I think every generation says ‘there are troubles with teenagers’, it’s just that we need to introduce procedures", she conceded.

"We also need more CCTV cameras through the park so that any trouble can be identified and responded to."

Both candidates cited the recent death 73-year-old grandmother Lesley Cubbon, who died at her home, as a reason for increasing policing in the area.

Police had been called after complaints a number of youths were causing annoyance to residents near Onchan Park, however, it has not yet been determined whether the two incidents are linked.

A spokesperson for the Isle of Man Constabulary said: "Where anti-social behaviour is identified around the Island we will use our resources to investigate."