VIDEO: Dramatic footage as police hammer doors down in series of dawn drug and prostitution raids in Doncaster

This is the dramatic moment police officers smashed down the door of a house in Doncaster early this morning as part of a series of raids linked to drugs and prostitution.
Police raid a flat in Balby Bridge.Police raid a flat in Balby Bridge.
Police raid a flat in Balby Bridge.

More than 160 officers from across South Yorkshire have been involved in Operation Duxford, a day long sting focusing on crime and anti-social behaviour in Doncaster.

Police launched a series of dawn raids on addresses in the Thorne Road area and St James' Estate flats complex at Balby Bridge after acting on intelligence and tip-offs from members of the public.

Police raid a flat in Balby Bridge.Police raid a flat in Balby Bridge.
Police raid a flat in Balby Bridge.

Four drug raids were carried out in the Balby Bridge area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At one address in the St James area, two arrests were made, believed to be in connection with drug dealing after officers hammered down a reinforced door to smash their way into the premises.

A drug sniffer dog was also sent in as a number of police officers stormed into the flat as part of the co-ordinated swoop at a number of homes across Doncaster.

The multi-agency blitz on crime has already proved a success in Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham and further raids are to be carried out in the coming months.

Officers are briefed ahead of this morning's swoop.Officers are briefed ahead of this morning's swoop.
Officers are briefed ahead of this morning's swoop.

As well as drugs, officers are also tackling speeding, street drinking illegal use of motor vehicles, aggressive street begging and other problems today with cars, vans, officers and foot and even the police helicopter involved in the swoops.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Superintendent Neil Thomas. who led the early morning operation said: "Operation Duxford is about bringing police resources in and flooding the town with police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

"More importantly, it is about engaging with the public and providing a high profile reassurance to the people of Doncaster.

"The message we went to get out to the public is we have listened to the issues you have raised with us and we are dealing with these problems."