A PUSH to increase the number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes across Barnsley is being made in an attempt to reduce the town’s crime statistics.
Although four Barnsley police hubs have been in operation for almost a year, it has been claimed the knock-on effects of a previous cost-cutting reshuffle in 2015, which saw bobbies taken out of their usual beats to be based in Wombwell, is still being felt.
It has led Neighbourhood Watch to join forces with the police to drum up support for new schemes to be created as a direct result of rising burglaries figures across Barnsley, which will see a relaunch of the organisation at Barnsley town hall on June 15.
PC Ross Greenwood told the Chronicle: “We are currently working closely with Neighbourhood Watch in Barnsley and aiming to expand the number of schemes in the borough as well as bolstering the volunteers’ network which helps to run it.
“The relaunch event will run from noon to 7pm and we will be joined by the Mayor of Barnsley, Coun Jeff Ennis, Chief Constable Stephen Watson and Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
“It will essentially be a drop-in event where the public can get information, free crime prevention items and details on how to sign up or even start a Neighbourhood Watch.”
The Chronicle recently reported that in some months of 2017, burglaries had trebled in some parts of the town - with hotspots in Athersley, Grimethorpe, Kendray and Penistone according to latest police figures - and it also emerged that a suspect ends up in court for barely one in ten of the offences investigated.
It’s hoped Barnsley town centre could have its own designated group following a spate of burglaries which have affected business owners in the area, who claim not enough is being done to protect vulnerable premises.
Paul McNicholas, who runs Annie Murray’s bar on Market Hill, said fellow business owners were annoyed by an alleged lack of police presence - something which could be helped by a new Neighbourhood Watch.
“Businesses are getting broken into left, right and centre and we’re still in the same position as before in that we’re powerless to do anything about it,” he said. “We’re all sitting ducks.
“I understand the police have had to have cutbacks and their job is difficult, but we just want some form of protection. It’s costing hard-working people, those who are trying to make the town centre a better place to go, a fortune and we’re all sick of it.”
Neighbourhood Watch spokesman John Hallows said: “This is a big push to get more people involved - the more we have, the better equipped we are to deter crime. The police support us and we have more than 30 cameras in use across Barnsley at areas of concern.
“On the relaunch day there will be an award for the best new scheme as we have had 12 more get up and running in the last six months, which is encouraging. There is lots of interest, but we do want residents to back the cause as they are the eyes and ears of what goes on in their area.
“Everyone is welcome to come to the event and find out more and the difference they can make.”
