A year-long collaborative operation between Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Police has successfully dismantled a county lines drug ring operating on the Summer Lane Estate in Barnsley. The operation revealed that males from Birmingham, London and Ipswich were involved in selling Class-A drugs.
To assist the police, Barnsley Council implemented a comprehensive strategy, which involved:
- taking possession of three properties.
- obtaining six closure orders and two injunction orders through legal intervention.
- serving four Community Protection Warnings for community safety.
- referring two people to the national referral mechanism process for human trafficking.
- installing CCTV on the estate as a security enhancement.
- offering victim and witness support to five vulnerable residents.
Barnsley Magistrates Court granted a three-month closure order following the discovery that a homeowner's property was being exploited by people linked to an organised crime group for drug trafficking.
An injunction order with a power of arrest was granted on Wednesday 17 January 2024 for Daniel Pearson, of no fixed abode, from entering the Summer Lane Estate.
This action was taken after Pearson, associated with drug dealing and anti-social behaviour, had already shifted his activities to other addresses on the estate. The injunction order aims to safeguard vulnerable tenants and disrupt drug-related activities.
Councillor Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, emphasised the hard work done by the council and South Yorkshire police in the last year: “They've been actively working to stop county lines and organised crime. The harmful effects of drug dealing and related crimes in our community have led to a team effort to solve these problems. Thanks to this teamwork, the council and police have effectively dealt with drug-related issues and protected vulnerable people in our area.
"It's also important to remember in this case that adult abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere. It's everyone's responsibility to address it.
"If you're worried about an adult being mistreated or neglected—please let us know. Your watchfulness is crucial in our shared commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone. If you want more information on reporting concerns, you can find it at barnsley.gov.uk/safeguarding.”
This collaboration between Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire police shows how dedicated they are to keeping the community safe and well. It sends a clear message that criminal activities will not be tolerated.
