Campus police base in pipeline for school

South Yorkshire Police are looking at the Mere Lane comprehensive as a possible new base for their Safer Neighbour-hood Team as they try to find a site for the officers in the village.

The officers, who are invol-ved in community policing, are at the moment based in Stainforth. But force bosses and community leaders in Arm-thorpe are keen to return them to a base in the area they serve.

Armthorpe was one of a number of police stations where police closed the inquiry desks as part of a reorganisation.

The main station is home to a rapid response team and a number of dog handlers, but does not have the facilities for the SNT.

South Yorkshire Police communications officer Lindsay Rust said: "The school is being looked at, as are a couple of other places.

"If anyone knows of any other suitable places, the team are open to suggestions."

It is understood if an arr-angement can be found, officers could be in the school building by the end of September.

Doncaster Council's Arm-thorpe ward councillor Peter Farrell said he thought the move would be popular with the community.

He said: "We want them there. The community are crying out for the police to be in Arm-thorpe.

"We have issues such as youths causing problems by drinking, and by being drunk and disorderly.

"They are simply better equipped to deal with crime if they are in Armthorpe, because it is quicker to get here.

"I know there is a rapid response unit, but if they're in Armthorpe they are better equipped to build a relationship with the community."