On Wednesday 1 November, we joined forces with the South Yorkshire Police and other partners for another successful Operation Duxford, which this time focused heavily on exploitation and organised criminality.
Our Wardens and Safer Neighbourhood teams joined forces with police officers, staff and partners to tackle issues that matter to local residents.
Action days like Operation Duxford are part of our ongoing work to ensure our borough continues to be a safe place. They are designed to create a day of heightened activity and enhance the work already underway to address concerns raised by local residents.
Some of the outcomes from the day:
- 11 arrests made for a range of offences
- Five early morning warrants were executed at addresses across the town
- Pop-up police stations and engagement stalls provided members of the public with advice and support
- Together we’ve engaged with over 1,300 people
- Carried out 21 antisocial behaviour surveys in communities to find out what issues they were currently concerned about
- Five safeguarding visits were made to five car washes, with £3,000 worth of cash seized in one of them as part of Operation Bubbles
- One motorbike sized for not having valid insurance
- 19 properties re-visited following Warning Letters issued on 19 October due to waste in gardens or contaminated bins
- Five Community Protection Notice Warnings issued to four properties
- Approximately 60 hours of combined patrol time
Cllr Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities at Barnsley Council, said: “It’s been another successful Operation Duxford and we are very pleased with the outcomes of this joint effort.
“I would like to thank all those involved from our Safer Neighbourhoods team and the South Yorkshire Police for their hard work. Through Joining Forces, we continue to work with our partners to make sure our borough continues to be a safe place for our residents and visitors.
“If you are concerned about crime and anti-social behaviour in your local area, please contact the South Yorkshire Police.”
John Mallows, Barnsley Chief Inspector, said: “Operation Duxford is a highly visible policing operation which sees us work alongside several of our partners to tackle issues which we know are impacting our communities. We know that we are stronger when we work together and that is why the ‘Joining Forces’ initiative is really important, and something which we wholly support.
“We’ve seen some great results from yesterday’s day of action, particularly related to the safeguarding visits made at the hand car washes. Exploitation and modern slavery is something we are committed to tackling, not just in Barnsley but across the whole of South Yorkshire, and it is our goal to protect those who are most vulnerable and at risk.
“These days of action also allow us to focus on specific areas where we can speak to local residents and get their views and insight into issues that are affecting them. It also provides us with the opportunity to build our relationship with community groups and allows them to have their say on the work we are delivering to their community.”
To report an issue that is a concern to you, visit the South Yorkshire Police website and use the ‘what’s happening in your area?’ search tool to find out what local NPT serves your area and how to contact them.
Image credit: South Yorkshire Police
