DRUGS, cars, knives and four pit bull terriers were seized in Barnsley this week during a major police crackdown involving more than 100 officers.
Operation Duxford, which aimed to flush out criminal activity, protect vulnerable people and engage with the local community, took place across the borough on Wednesday.
Bobbies took to the streets in the town centre and Milgate Street, Royston, to tackle issues raised by residents such as antisocial behaviour and criminal damage, while partners including VOSA, Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue also took part.
Crime prevention stalls were placed at Asda, on Old Mill Lane, Barnsley Interchange, Barnsley Hospital and shopping areas in Cudworth, Goldthorpe, Hoyland and Wombwell.
During the operation, a total of seven men were arrested for a variety of offences, including the possession of drugs and failure to appear at court.
The town centre team also had success with a dedicated traffic operation, in which nine vehicles were seized for no insurance, while the pit bulls were taken from a house on Milgate Street in Royston under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The Chronicle joined an early morning briefing for officers at Churchfields police station led by District Commander Chief Superintendent Scott Green and Superintendent Sarah Poolman, who is in charge of Barnsley’s policing.
Chf Supt Green said: “As well as some great results from warrants, we also spoke to almost 2,000 members of the public, which is a key part of Operation Duxford.
“We had crime prevention stalls stationed across the district, which enabled officers and PCSOs to offer advice to residents, listen to any concerns they have and let them know about all the good work we’ve been doing, tackling the issues that matter most to them.
“The positive results and work carried out is of course happening every day across Barnsley but with added resources we were 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.”
