Last week, we joined forces for Operation Duxford a day of action across Barnsley focussing on tackling neighbourhood crime and organised criminality.
Our Wardens and Safer Neighbourhood Teams came together with 180 officers, staff and partner representatives from South Yorkshire Police, Berneslai Homes and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue working to tackle those issues which matter to you, the communities we serve.
These action days 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.
Officers from the Roads Policing Group, dog handlers and other specialist teams supported the day. They joined the ranks of Barnsley’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), response units, tasking team and other officers and staff taking part.
During the day:
- 11 arrests were made
- 600 cannabis plants were seized estimated to be worth £480,000
- Officers visited properties suspected of being involved in drugs production
- Four cars were seized for not having valid insurance
- Issuing fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping, dog fouling and littering
- We conducted 12 stop and searches
- We engaged with over 1,750 members to find out about what issues currently matter to them
- Visited estates with our Barnsley Council and Berneslai Homes housing officers to carry out antisocial behaviour checks
- Conducted welfare visits alongside social care to check on members of the public thought to be at risk
- Carried out antisocial behaviour surveys in communities to find out what issues they were currently concerned about
Across Hoyland, we held a clean-up event around the Cloughfields estate. We carried out a litter pick with Springwell Primary School and collected 32 bags of litter. Our staff help pop-up stands offering information, advice and guidance to those who needed it.
The day of action began with Barnsley’s District Commander Chief Superintendent Simon Wanless and the force’s Deputy Chief Constable Tim Forber addressing officers at the district’s HQ on Churchfield near the town centre.
Cllr Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities said: "We're very pleased with the outcome of this day of action.
"We continue to work hard to address issues raised by the local community and deliver the best possible service to the people of Barnsley.
"We are committed to making sure that our borough continues to be a safe place and I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work, which helped to make another successful joint operation.
“If you are concerned about crime in your local area, I would urge you to contact South Yorkshire Police.”
Chief Supt Wanless at South Yorkshire Police said: “This is a great initiative which helps us focus our attention on these three areas of criminality we know affect our communities here in Barnsley – child exploitation, neighbourhood crime and organised crime.
“We want to make this a difficult place for offenders to remain at large. And we will protect those who are vulnerable and apprehend those who are looking to exploit them through whatever means.
"It’s not just about enforcement though; by engaging with all the communities we serve we can stay informed about the issues that matter to you."
To report an issue that is a concern to you, visit the force’s website https://southyorkshire.police.uk/ 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.