Exclusive:These are the reasons police were called to Rother Valley Country Park 500 times

New figures reveal what the public called 999 and 101 for the most in the past five years at a Rotherham beauty spot.

Shocking crimes such as sexual assaults, rapes and violence were among the reasons cops were called to Rother Valley Country Park.

Vehicle crime and quad bikes causing nuisance top the list of calls made to the force about issues at the popular family destination.

Following a string of serious incidents in May 2026 at the council-managed country park - including an alleged assault with hammer, a large scale fight involving a group of youths, and the tragic drowning of a teenager who entered the water - The Star obtained figures for all police calls to the park since 2020.

It reveals the vast majority of reported incidents there were in relation to vehicles - typically off road bikes, quad bikes and nuisance drivers.

However, 18 calls to cops were relating to violence, 41 calls were about concern for someone’s safety and 10 calls were made in regards to sexual offences of different nature.

Quad bikes at Rother Valley Country Park

Out of 508 calls to the police since 2020, a total of 135 alone - or more than a quarter - were to report quad bikes riding around the lakes on paths, roads and grass.

Nuisance makers in cars or on off-road bikes accounted for another approximately 35 calls.

Calls reporting crashes in which people were injured accounted for around 10 calls.

Safeguarding and welfare

The second greatest number of incidents reported (58) were concerns for welfare, including two to report sudden deaths.

SYP advised it could not offer accurate figures for the number of calls over people getting into trouble in the water, as these would almost certainly be reported to Yorkshire Ambulance Service first.

However, it recorded that out of 41 calls about another’s safety, six were related to water safety.

Assaults and sex offences

Out of over 500 calls to police since 2020 about Rother Valley Country Park, less than one-tenth could be considered ‘crimes against people’ involving harm or assault.

A total of 12 sex offences were reported, including two indecent exposures, two rapes, three sex assualts and five classed as ‘other’.

Around 22 calls dealt with violence, including robbery, threatening behaviour, and around 18 reports of direct violence.

Public disorder, anti-social behaviour and property damage

Roughly one-in-10 calls to police reported public disorder and anti-social behaviour, such as 12 calls for ‘rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour’, refusing to leave or begging/vagrancy.

Additionally, around 40 calls in total were related to ‘suspicious’ people, packages or circumstances.

Is Rother Valley Country Park safe?

Following the string of serious incidents in May at what is easily one of Rotherham’s most popular parks, Rotherham Council discussed whether additional safety measures are needed at Rother Valley.

Signs warn visitors that swimming is not permitted, and the authority stepped up security patrols and staffing following the death of 16-year-old Muhammed Secka in the water.

MP Jake Richards did not respond to a request for comment by The Star.

Ward councillors Dominic Beck and Marnie Havard declined to comment.

Service Director for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Polly Hamilton, said: "Rother Valley Country Park is a much-loved destination for local people and visitors, attracting almost one million visits each year.

"We take a zero-tolerance approach to vehicle-related anti-social behaviour and work closely with South Yorkshire Police and other partners to deter offending and support enforcement action.

"A range of measures are already in place, including restricting access points to prevent unauthorised vehicle access, increased security patrols, and deploying mobile CCTV and body-worn cameras to help identify offenders. Joint activity with South Yorkshire Police has led to a number of illegal off-road bikes being seized, helping to improve safety for visitors to the park.

"We keep these measures under regular review with our partners and will continue to take action where required. While any incident of anti-social behaviour is unacceptable, these incidents represent a very small proportion of the more than four million visits made to the park over the last five years. The vast majority of people who visit the park and its lakes and woodland, do so responsibly and enjoy it safely."

The park recently saw the opening of both a new restaurant, ‘The Waterfront’, and new playground equipment.

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