Police issue statement after underwater search team spotted at Sheffield pond

The team was spotted searching the pond by local residents, and were there for a ‘few hours’ yesterday.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police explained: “Officers from the regional underwater search team were in Sheffield yesterday (Tuesday 5 January) carrying out enquiries in the Arbourthorne area, as part of our ongoing investigations into firearms incidents in the city.

"This is part of our wider work to reduce the impact of violent crime, and we regularly carry out searches like this across South Yorkshire.”

This comes after after Superintendant Martin Tate of the force pledged that action against firearms would be a top priotity for South Yorkshire Police in 2021, following a number of firearms incidents in 2020.

Superintendant Tate said: “I want to reassure you that we have been and will continue to take action against those involved in violence or drug related criminality. We have dedicated and specialist teams leading on disruption, which has already seen us seize weapons and make arrests.

“To prevent this type of crime, it is vital we have your support, people are already providing us with intelligence, but we always need more.

“Keep talking to us and we can help keep our communities safe, vibrant places to live.

“I’d also like to mention our ongoing commitment to protect the most vulnerable; those who are living in abusive relationships and young people at risk of exploitation.

“This area of work continues to grow, so we must be dynamic in our response.”