A RAFT of new measures to prevent crime in Barnsley has resulted in a dramatic reduction in antisocial behaviour.
A report, compiled by Ch Supt Scott Green shows the progress that’s been made during 12 months of a new local policing structure which has seen the formation of four hubs across the town.
South Yorkshire Police axed its former Safer Neighbourhood Team structure in a bid to slash £8.1m from their budget two years ago - a widely criticised decision which saw bobbies being taken out of the communities they knew and moved to Wombwell.
But a U-turn was performed following the backlash and four new hubs - in Barnsley town centre, Goldthorpe, Kendray and Royston - began operating a year ago.
The teams deal with low-level issues, such as antisocial behaviour, before cases can be escalated up to case management basis if it’s deemed the problem requires more intervention from partnering agencies such as Barnsley Council.
Fresh initiatives such as the Police Now scheme, which has seen two young officers concentrate on antisocial behaviour concerns in Goldthorpe and Kendray, have been adopted by local teams, while council staff are now working in each hub.
Ch Supt Green said: “As the first district in South Yorkshire to reintroduce fully staffed neighbourhood policing teams, Barnsley officers and PCSOs have been providing a visible presence within local communities.
“They have been developing relationships with the public in order to support individuals and families, particularly those who are vulnerable.
“A three-tier engagement model is now in place, supported by both the police and council. This leads to effectively tackling underlying causes, protects the vulnerable and communities from antisocial and criminal behaviour.”
According to latest police figures, there were 8,722 antisocial behaviour-related incidents reported in 2017 - a reduction from the previous year’s 10,920 - which represents a 21 per cent decrease.
Environmental-based antisocial behaviour, such as illegal off-road bikes, topped the list with 5,975 reports last year - a 15 per cent reduction of the 2016 stats.
The biggest reduction was noted in incidents classed as ‘personal’ - which includes everything from congregating gangs to verbal abuse - resulting in a 39 per cent decrease.
Public space protection orders (PSPOs), which are designed to deal with problematic behaviour in a particular area, have been another tactic employed by the hubs as they allow the council to introduce restrictions on the use of the area to make sure that people can enjoy the space, safe from antisocial behaviour, which is then monitored by the police.
“The neighbourhood policing teams are becoming embedded in their local communities and positive feedback has been received on their presence and impact,” Ch Supt Green added. “The products we have piloted in Barnsley have been adopted for a force-wide roll out.”
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POLICING across Barnsley is in a much better place than it was before the reintroduction of neighbourhood teams, according to the Chief Inspector of Operations at the town centre hub.
Chris Foster, who began his new role last week, told the Chronicle that although a large demand rests on officers’ shoulders in a time of squeezed budgets, the move back to local-led teams has been a positive one.
“We’re in a much better place and we have a clear direction of where we want to go,” Chf Insp Foster said. “The demand goes up and up, but it’s clear the local teams and in particular the PCSOs who patrol are provide reassurance to residents.
“They’re important to have as they’re accessible and build up intelligence of what’s going on in particular villages.
“By having council officers in the hubs, it allows us to work together on cases. That’s really useful, as it’s much easier to get things done when they’re sat across a desk. It enables us to do a better job.”
