28/07/2011 BBC Channel Islands News

Upgrading the help for a web-savvy generation facing increasing

unemployment, homelessness and money worries.

Plus, canine criminals: why keeping man's best friend under control can

save lives. And, are you being served? The new

awards to recognise those who Increasing numbers of young people

in Jersey are battling worries about homelessness, money and jobs.

That's according to an advice service which has seen a rise in

the number of people seeking help over the last year. Anisha Shah

reports. An unassuming Jersey building. But,

for hundreds of young people, it offers a lifeline. This is the

Youth Enquiry Service, known as Yes. It gives vulnerable youngsters

advice and support. Today, new mum Zoe Morrison has dropped in. She

comes for counselling and says it's invaluable. And four it is

absolutely amazing, it really is. You get support, no judgment

whatsoever. We have come in numerous times, going through a lot

of stuff. They will see me. Even just for a chat. And Zoe's not the

only one to drop in. Since the service was set up three years ago,

a growing number of youngsters are coming here.

We have seen a massive number of people coming into use the service

ended 2 1/2 years we have been open. More people are experiencing

problems such as emotional health issues, dealing with homelessness,

unemployment, education issues. Because of the increasing demand,

the Youth Enquiry Service has relaunched its website. It's hoped

more young people can access the services remotely by simply logging

on. And this is it. It's hoped this funkier, more interactive site will

connect better with an internet savvy generation so that more

troubled youngsters can benefit from it.

A rare baby bird has been savaged and killed by a dog at L'Eree Bank

in Guernsey, one of the island's most important nesting grounds.

It's prompted the Environment Department to issue a fresh warning

to dog owners to keep their animals under control. This report by Emma

Thomas does contain images which could be upsetting to some.

A haven for birds. An important nesting ground. But humans are

taking their toll. This was a baby oystercatcher, four or five weeks

old, before it died. Judy Down told me she saw it being savaged by

someone else's dog. She's angry the animal wasn't on a lead. It had the

oystercatcher chick in its mouth at that point and shook it violently

from side to side. I shouted at the dog and it actually dropped the

chick at that point, which flapped a couple of times on the ground.

And unfortunately died. Experts say it was too young to have mastered

the art of flying and would have been powerless to escape.

Oystercatchers are wading birds. Not endangered, but rare on

Guernsey's west coast. There's thought to be only ten nesting

pairs in the island. It's an offence to kill or injure a wild

bird. But getting a conviction can be difficult and conservationists

say this kind of thing is happening all too often across the island.

was clearly an accident. But an avoidable one. There are vulnerable

birds in the area and signs highlighting that. We would ask dog

walkers to remember that wildlife does need protecting. This site is

internationally recognised for the precious wildlife it attracts. The

Environment Department says dogs should not be walked here.

Conservationists say three other breeding pairs have been

unsuccessful, and this incident could have taken away the only

chick to have fledged. Jersey Police are still looking for

two young men, following an alleged assault on a five year old boy in

Grands Vaux. The police are still patrolling the Nicholson Park area

after the child said he was assaulted by the men on Tuesday

afternoon. One of them may have been wearing a hat and the other

wasn't wearing a shirt. They're asking any witnesses to come

forward. Are there enough women in Guernsey

politics? One former deputy doesn't think so, and wants to see a

certain number of seats in the Island's government set aside for

females. Penny Elderfield has this report.

Just some of the women that make up Guernsey's government. With eight

female politicians, including two who've made it to a minister

position, the States is by no means a male only environment. But they

are a little out numbered, and now it's being suggested a third of the

seats should be reserved just for women candidates.

You would gradually build up a corps of women that, in fact, in

time, would show the electorate that women can do this job just as

well as men. And show women voters they could do it just as well as

any men. And in time, it would become more normal to see women

sitting in the States, doing jobs in the States. There are many

reasons why we may not get the number of women standing for the

States that some would like to see. But is it really necessary to

change way Guernsey elects its government to make it happen?

should we make a rule to guarantee women will be elected? That is up

to the people who are voting to put the person, be it a man or woman,

they believe will represent them with honesty and integrity. With an

election looming, it's unlikely the States would make any changes at

this stage. But, if enough female candidates stand, there's nothing

to stop the voters making that decision.

You're watching the BBC in the Channel Islands. Later in Spotlight

with Justin and Rebecca: Ten years of marriage, thanks to a text

What do you think of customer service in Jersey? That's the

question at the heart of a new awards scheme designed to recognise

the island's most helpful and friendly workers. The 2011 Jersey

Customer Service Awards will be given out in seven categories

including: Best Team, Best Self- Employed Person, and States Worker.

Edward Sault asks: Are we being served?

That green goes so well with madam's eyes.

Are You Being Served's Mrs Slocombe may best be known for her brusque

yet memorable approach to customers making audiences laugh. But it

seems customer service in Jersey is no longer a laughing matter.

Thank you very much. We have all had service in shops in the island

where we have either been treated impeccably or left invisible. There

is a new scheme designed to promote good service in the island. Claire

is responsible. Why are you doing this? We thought it was a good time

to reward people doing good service. So many people are complaining

service is not good enough, but there are some really good guys. We

wanted to reward them and give an extra trophy for it. Is service

really that the awful here? No, it isn't. People are very proud of

working in Jersey. That is why we want to give them a reward for it.

What do the punters think? What do you think of the customer service

in Jersey? It is very good. Probably better than at home. We

would expect that on holiday. am from America, it is Devon League

the event, it is good but could use some improvement. I think we need

to leave the final word to the Queen of customer service. Do you

think I should wear it up or down? Down.

One of Guernsey Police's most ferocious officers is due to retire

at the end of the month. He goes by the name of Rebel, and he's been

sniffing out criminal activity in the island for the last six years.

Before he leaves the force for life on civvy street, Mike Wilkins has

Rebel has done it again. I think he has found the evidence. He has been

serving the police force for six years, one of the most dedicated

officers. I am pleased to say he is now being well handled by his dog

handler. What is revel macro like to work with? Fantastic, a real

character. Really friendly, almost all the time but he can turn into

aggressive mode when he needs to. He is after all an attack dog and

like many in this world he has to multi-tasking. Finding evidence is

one of the things he does. I sometimes find myself -- myself

in difficult situations and this is I am feeling the full force of

Guernsey Police. I think I have had enough. I will let go now. There we

go. Survive that, a controlled attack. You can feel the force even

with that protective padding. Obviously, a highly trained dog.

Some people will be thinking, when they retire, are they safe to go

back into the community. Most police dogs are safe. There will be

the odd one or two. He is entirely safe, I am happy he will not attack

anybody. This is certainly one rebel who has

The Now it's time for the weather. Hello, good evening. We have some

showers and even some brighter weather in the afternoon. After

this morning's rain, a chance to dry out. Some of the rain was

intense last night and this morning. The good news is that is moving out

of the way and it will become dry with light winds. A new area of low

pressure is approaching by lunchtime on Saturday. Giving the

risk of showers. That was the rain earlier today. With intense bursts.

Bat has no doubt of the way. Overnight, it is a dry story. Some

light showers. A cloudy day, temperatures down to 13 Celsius.

Tomorrow, a lot of cloud to start the day but it should clear giving

sunny spells, up to 21 Celsius. Winds from the north west. In the

early evening, the shower risk returns. This is the coastal waters

forecast. Showers by the evening. And, of the times of high water.

The forecast as we move into Saturday and Sunday, certainly

cooler, down to 18 Celsius. There is the risk on Saturday in the

afternoon of more persistent rain from the South briefly. Plenty of

The fog and wet weather in Alderney this morning disrupted the Alderney

Week schedule. One victim was the ever popular man-powered flight

competition. Here's some pictures from last year's event. This year's