THE expansion of an order which effectively bans yobs from entering an exclusion zone has been hailed as a key reason behind a 40 per cent reduction in antisocial behaviour.

Following the success of a public space protection order (PSPO) in the town centre, a plan to extend the measure to the nearby McDonald’s and Asda store on Old Mill Lane was adopted due to rising concerns from staff and residents who claimed they had been threatened by teenage perpetrators.

Sgt Dave Baines said offenders shipped out of the town centre which in itself resulted in a 21 per cent reduction in antisocial behaviour turned their attention to the retailer and fast food chain as the order did not initially cover Old Mill Lane.

According to Asda employees and those living on nearby Canal Street, gangs of up to 40 youngsters were reported to be terrorising the area for months, which led police to name the problem as its localised priority.

Incidents including urinating and defecating in the street, intimidating and verbally abusing staff, open drug dealing and taking, and aggressive behaviour including shouting, swearing and fighting were reasons why the PSPO first came into force in Barnsley in 2016.

Sgt Baines, who discussed the matter at a PACT meeting in Honeywell on Monday evening, said: “Canal Street, which runs adjacent to Asda and McDonald’s, has been a cause of concern for a while now but a lot of good work has been done.

“Antisocial behaviour figures in some areas of Barnsley are standing still, but in this area there’s been a 40 per cent reduction in the last quarter.

“There’s been no incidents at McDonald’s but we’ll continue to monitor it. There’s been a lot of action in past months but it’s a good example of how the PACT process which involves the police, council and residents can have a good effect.”

According to statistics which go up to June 2018, there are less than 50 antisocial behaviour-related incidents a month in the town centre area which includes Old Mill Lane’s retail zone but it’s down from its peak of 122 incidents per month at the end of 2016.

The official figures show that there were 1,280 incidents in the year prior to the PSPO being brought in in Barnsley, a figure that was slashed by nearly a third to 928 by June 2018.

A council spokesperson said: “Our town faces a number of challenges with antisocial behaviour and issues have been raised by the community and businesses. We want to make sure Barnsley remains a great place to live, work and visit.

“To help achieve this, Barnsley town centre and surrounding areas are subject to a public space protection order (PSPO).

“It provides local authorities with the necessary powers to introduce restrictions upon activity and behaviours deemed to be antisocial and occurring in public spaces. It is designed to restrict and prohibit certain behaviours.

“It is enforced by both police and council officers and any breach is a criminal offence and can result in a £100 fine or up to £1,000 fine if prosecuted in court.”