On Wednesday 8 March, we joined forces with South Yorkshire Police, Berneslai Homes, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Department for Work and Pensions, Probation Service, and tenancy enforcement teams.

Barnsley welcomed officers from South Yorkshire Police, our Safer Neighbourhood Teams and wardens, alongside officers and staff working to tackle those issues which matter to our communities.

Officers were also able to attend Barnsley Metrodome to speak to young women involved in an event to mark International Women’s Day.

These days of action are where we bolster our existing district resources with specialist teams from across the force. It is designed to create a day of heightened activity and enhance the work already underway to address concerns raised by local residents.

Officers from our South Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Group, dog handlers and other specialist teams supported the day. They joined the ranks of Barnsley’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), Domestic Violence Team, Missing People’s Team and other officers and staff taking part.

They made 24 arrests throughout the day, including for theft from a motor vehicle, burglary, money laundering, robbery, affray and failing to attend court.

Other enforcement actions included:

• weapons including knives being recovered from a warrant on a property in the town centre
• nine people who had failed to appear before a court being located and re-arrested
• three closure notices being issued on properties that cause persistent issues through offences relating to drugs and anti-social behaviour
• five cars seized for having no insurance
• two £400 fixed penalty notices being issued for fly-tipping
• four antisocial behaviour warning letters being issued in relation to issues at the Barnsley Interchange

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.

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.

Yesterday, alongside our partners, we:

• engaged with more than 1,800 members of our communities – including at the Barnsley Council Targeted Youth Support International Women’s Day event at Barnsley Metrodome
• visited 34 retail premises to find out what we can do to help them protect their business – with positive feedback received
• visited 18 addresses to discuss issues with vulnerable residents
• held pop-up police stations across the borough to discuss issues that matter to residents that help us form our policing priorities

South Yorkshire Police's Chief Superintendent Wanless said: “The staff and officers serving the Barnsley district work tirelessly to disrupt criminality, protect the vulnerable and make this a safer and nicer place to work, live and visit.

“Yesterday was the largest day of action we have put together of this nature, and it was fantastic to see units from the rest of the force – as well as the partner agencies we work so well alongside – come together to deliver the most arrests we have made on such a day.

“The focus was quite multi-faceted. We did a lot of work with our partners and community teams to reassure communities and get out there to be a visible presence so they could see us and ask us questions. We also wanted to reassure them about the activities that were taking place.

“It’s three-fold in terms of objectives: one is to reassure communities; the second is to make sure organised crime gangs (OCGs) know they can’t get a foothold in our district; t third is to make sure anyone outstanding as wanted knows they won’t be welcome in Barnsley and we will take action to get them into custody.”

To report an issue that is a concern to you, visit South Yorkshire Police's website at 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.