POLICE responded to almost 500 calls from Barnsley Hospital in a year, according to latest figures which rank where demand for officers comes from.
The hospital topped the list with 474 calls, followed by Asda on Old Mill Lane which saw staff call police 398 times between December 2017 and November 2018.
Barnsley Interchange came third in the list with 214 calls and McDonald’s, which neighbours Asda on Old Mill Lane, saw officers respond to 200 reports during the period.
Kendray Hospital, Premier Inn, Morrisons at Westway and Tesco at Stairfoot completed the list -Â with antisocial behaviour, missing persons and shoplifting cited as three reasons why demand has been high.
Chief Inspector Darren Starkey said: “Our neighbourhood policing teams are demonstrating effective, tangible progress in helping to make our communities safer.
“Our problem-solving approach continues to have a positive impact with the highest repeat demand locations and missing persons.
“We have documented our approach to tackling the demand generated by the top highest repeat demand locations in Barnsley.
“This work will continue as we recognise there is still much to do.
“Reducing demand is key to freeing up officer time to manage other demand and calls for service in the force.
“The Barnsley district remains at the forefront of neighbourhood policing via its teams and the successful multi-agency Safer Neighbourhood Service.”
Time spent by officers at the hospital equated to more than 1,200 hours a figure which must be reduced, according to police who say they are working alongside the NHS to cut demand.
South Yorkshire Police’s force lead for dealing with the hospital, Supt Daniel Thorpe, introduced a scheme in London which led to an 80 per cent reduction in vulnerable people going missing from A and E departments and it’s hoped a similar plan will be enforced in Barnsley.
“A three-tier engagement model is now in place, supported by both the police and council,” Chf Insp Starkey added. “This leads to effectively tackling underlying causes and protects the vulnerable.
“We’re developing a force-wide hospital missing person policy, as well as looking at opportunities for them to fund a police officer like initiatives seen in some of Barnsley’s schools.”
