POLICE have stepped up patrols in Barnsley town centre to deter antisocial behaviour and rising crime figures in the area.
Operation Equinox, which started last week, ran during the Easter bank holiday - a time which traditionally sees an increase in offences - and will continue until this weekend.
Last Thursday saw officers patrol the town centre’s streets, visit businesses affected by crime and have a bigger presence at locations including the transport interchange and McDonald’s on Old Mill Lane - two areas identified for having had a marked rise in antisocial behaviour.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue also took part in the initiative, which saw its officers offer crime prevention advice to businesses affected by arson attacks.
PC Ross Greenwood said: “Operation Equinox is a big engagement event, run in conjunction with fire crews. There’s been issues recently in the town centre with antisocial behaviour so it was decided to have more officers there to offer advice and reassurance to businesses.
“We will be continuing with specific, targeted patrols to prevent antisocial behaviour in the area.”
Police say last year’s Easter period, which is the first bank holiday weekend of the year, was one of the worst weekends of the year for crime figures and action was taken this year in an attempt to avoid a repeat.
They also aimed to send out a message to business people - who have claimed they were sitting ducks due to a lack of presence - that their calls for more action have been heard.
The operation has already resulted in five public space protection orders (PSPO) being issued to those found causing a nuisance, 17 antisocial behaviour warning letters and the seizure of three illegal motorcycles.
Fifteen shops were also checked to see if they were selling alcohol to underage youths, while more than 50 hours of patrols have been carried out following a spate of town centre burglaries which have taken place at Kitchen Bistro, Pitt Street, Annie Murray’s on Market Hill, The Courthouse, Regent Street and Bistro Romano’s, Jock’s Cavern, Alexander cocktail bar and The Grill Pit, all on Shambles Street, in the last four months.
Ch Supt Scott Green said: “The positive results and work carried out is of course happening every day across Barnsley but with added resources we are able to show residents just how committed we are to tackling the areas of concern to them.
“This work will continue and I’d like to thank residents for their support and to everyone who spoke to an officer and took the time to chat to us.”
