DRONES are being used by would-be burglars in Barnsley’s semi-rural communities and the police have admitted there is little they can do to stop them from spying.

Residents in on-the-border communities such as Penistone, Ingbirchworth, Dunford Bridge and Shafton have reported concerns about the machines being used prior to burglaries being carried out.

The areas have all been hit hard by burglaries this year, according to the police, who have been working alongside their colleagues from the neighbouring West Yorkshire force and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

Tens of thousands of pounds in farmyard machinery has been stolen by criminals in 2018 and although the police have upped patrols at affected areas, it’s feared burglars now have the upper hand due to drone use.

Sgt Brad Wynne said: “It is something we are aware of and it’s been reported at police meetings for the Penistone area in previous weeks.

“There’s nothing to stop anyone from going into a shop and buying a drone. That also means there’s no current legislation for us to stop them from being used nearby farms as it’s generally being flown on open land.

“That doesn’t mean to say we’re not doing anything about it, as we’re in constant contact with farms in particular. We’re offering crime prevention advice to anyone who needs it and we’re looking at the drone issue.”

Coun Hannah Kitching called on the police to do more for vulnerable locations such as Ingbirchworth, which has suffered a spate in break-ins during the summer and autumn months.

“This semi-rural crime rise has severely affected residents in my ward and I believe there’s a real problem with organised crime groups who are specifically targeting hard-to-reach communities,” she added.

“These aren’t opportunistic thieves, they are professionals who know exactly what they’re doing and what they’re going after, so it’s incredibly concerning to hear people’s worries about the use of drones.

“The criminals know about the police forces being divided on the county line and it’s important both work together to stop this from happening.

“They are getting away with costly equipment, whether that’s farmyard machinery or even a hot tub as one person in my ward found out when it was stolen.

“Penistone is a huge area to police and unfortunately there are not enough officers in this part of Barnsley.”

According to the NFU, there has been a 54 per cent increase in insurance claims in rural communities in Barnsley, with some farmers facing soaring premiums due to the extent of the burglaries.

PC Mark Winter, a Penistone-based officer, said: “Burglaries are something we’re aware of and we did have a report last week from the Dunford Bridge area regarding the use of a drone, allegedly scouting out the area.

“We’re unsure if this was nefarious usage but if we receive reports of this nature, we will go out and speak to whoever is flying it. I wouldn’t go as far to say it’s a big problem but it’s one we are aware of and it appears to be the latest craze.

“We continue to work with officers from the West Yorkshire side and assure residents we’re here to protect them from burglaries as we know full well how much it has cost farmers in particular.”