Barnsley police slash crime rates

Halloween and Bonfire Night are usually rife with offenders, from underage purchasing and setting off fireworks, to criminal damage.

However, this year Barnsley Neighbourhood Team and South Yorkshire police joined forces to slash anti-social crime rates across the town.

Their tactic was to educate, deter and remove risks in areas that see an increase in offences.

Neighbourhood Inspector Rebecca Richardson said: “Before the nights started drawing in, our officers delivered safety presentations in local schools to their pupils, alongside the fire service.

“Our PCSO’s also teamed up with the fire service to hold joint crime and fire reduction stalls in the areas we see an increase in incidents.

“We also carried out test purchasing operations with Trading Standards representatives from Barnsley Council to ensure fireworks and alcohol were not being sold to those who are underage.”

Fire risks were also identified in the local community, such as fly tipping, untidy gardens and wheelie bins.

The district saw a reduction of 81 offences since 2018, with 13 less deliberate fires.

In 2018 officers attended 387, which was a significant decrease on the 537 offences recorded in 2017.

This year officers attended 306 incidents of anti-social behaviour across the area.

Inspector Richardson added: “I would like to thank our partners at the council and fire service for their support in helping us tackle anti-social behaviour and making Barnsley a safer place to live and work.

“I would also like to thank the public for continuing to support our policing and operations within your area.”