Man stabbed in family dispute on Doncaster street

The incident, described by police as a ‘family dispute’ involving two Latvian men which spiralled out of control, happened yesterday morning on Shadyside.

The 35-year-old was taken to hospital with suspected stab wounds, not believed to be life threatening, while the 41-year-old was arrested on suspicion of wounding.

The suspect was taken into custody to be questioned.

Supt Neil Thomas, from South Yorkshire Police, said both men were believed to be of Latvian descent.

He said: “This was a family dispute. The offender was arrested almost immediately and the victim suffered minor stab wounds.”

Despite the incident, Supt Thomas said the level of anti-social behaviour in Hexthorpe was no worse than other areas - and residents were being kept up-to-date by local officers.

“There are incidents in the area, we are aware of anti-social behaviour and graffiti, but at the moment Hexthorpe is no different to anywhere else in Doncaster. You would get those issues elsewhere,” he said.

“We are not saying there is no longer an issue and it is not something we are working on - it is.

“Local officers are now producing a weekly newsletter which is given to three or four community leaders and then passed on to residents so they know exactly what is going on in the area and what we are doing about it.”

He added that some members of the public did not understand how the Public Space Protection Order, recently introduced in the area, works, leading to some believing an offence is being committed when it is not.

“Some residents think that the PSPO prevents large groups of over three people congregating, but it only comes into force if people are committing anti-social behaviour or there is a high chance that they will.”

He added: “Unfortunately, some residents then see large groups of people in the street and think we are not doing anything about anti -social behaviour, and because of that residents then don’t report genuine incidents to us.

“But if they don’t let us know what is happening then we won’t be able to help, and we want to.

“We only have finite resources and we will put those resources where there is a need - we need to be aware of where that need is.”