Police operation is great success

During the two-month operation police chalked up 598 arrests, seized 150,000 in cash, recovered 153,000 worth of stolen property and found drugs with a street value of more than 347,000.

Most of the drugs haul was 296,000 worth of cannabis plants under cultivation at a fast food outlet on Broadway, Dunscroft, where three hydroponics systems were found and a man and two women were arrested.

During August more than 40 per cent more people were arrested than in the same period last year and crime in the borough reduced by 18 per cent, the highest reduction in South Yorkshire.

More than 30 vehicles were seized for being uninsured, 15 knives were seized and 58 search warrants were executed.

Two stolen vehicles were also recovered - a 20,000 Mercedes-Benz van thought to be taken from Wheatley Hall Road was located in Intake, and a Vauxhall Frontera worth around 3,000 was located using tracker devices.

During a road crime operation a car failed to stop for officers in the Lakeside area and three males ran from the car.

One youth dived into the lake in an attempt to get away from pursuing officers but after being in the water for about five minutes he gave himself up to waiting officers. The 17-year-old youth was arrested on suspicion of car theft. A trap car, kitted out with SmartWater and secret cameras, has been located in various areas of Doncaster five times and each time someone has broken into it and been arrested.

Det Supt Bill Hotchkiss, leading the operation in Doncaster said: “Maximum Impact on crime has been a tremendous success within Doncaster. I pay tribute to the support of our partners who made a significant contribution to the overall results.

“I would also highlight the exceptional commitment of our staff who have made their own personal sacrifices during this lengthy operation. The public support has been evident and information passed to us has been acted upon quickly to make arrests and seize drugs and stolen property."

Mayor Martin Winter, chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, said: “We have shown criminals there is nowhere to hide in Doncaster and that we have a zero tolerance when it comes to crime or anti-social behaviour.”