BARNSLEY’S top police officer has spoken out to reassure the public after an unprecedented three murder investigations in less than weeks rocked the town.

Chief Superintendent Scott Green, Barnsley District Commander, paid tribute to his staff this week who have been working around the clock on the murder investigations launched following the deaths of Claire Louise Smith, 42, Jill Hibberd, 73 and Dawid Szubert, 38, who were all attacked.

He said: “Our priority is keeping the residents of Barnsley safe and bringing offenders to justice. My staff have all worked exceptionally hard to support the recent investigations across the district, gathering evidence, protecting crime scenes and providing support and reassurance to local residents.

“They have done this alongside the daily demands of the job, in addition to supporting on a number of other homicides across the county, lending support to teams in need of additional resource and to provide resilience.

“Our officers are trained to respond to and deal with these types of incidents and are highly capable of doing so. This unprecedented demand has of course tested us but we have responded positively here in Barnsley, as has the rest of the force.

“We have people charged for each case and officers from across the force continue to work hard as they prepare these cases for court.”

The body of Miss Smith, who was subjected to a severe assault, was found on Union Street, Barnsley, on May 19. Two people - Penelope Brownlie, 45 and 57-year-old Justine Wainwright - both of Britannia Close, have been charged with her murder.

Miss Hibberd was stabbed multiple times in her home on Roy Kilner Road, Wombwell, less than two weeks later on May 31. Lee Trevor Fueloep, 40, of Willow Garth, Wombwell, has been charged with her murder.

Mr Szubert, of Park Lane, Barnsley, was found on June 17 at around 3.05pm on a pathway at the side of Mandela Gardens in Barnsley town centre. The Polish national was pronounced dead at the scene having sustained a blow to his head.

Ricky Ramsden, 27, of Dodworth Road, Barnsley, has been charged with Mr Szubert’s murder.

Ch Supt Green said that although worry was inevitable due to the incidents - and in particular the timeframe in which they happened - a big factor in reducing concerns and boosting the public’s confidence was down to the murders not being linked.

“Thankfully, these incidents are still rare in Barnsley and importantly none are linked, but I understand they will have caused some concern amongst the community,” he added.

“I’d encourage anyone who has concerns to please speak to us, either come into the station or speak to officers and PCSOs as you see them out and about.

“I’d also like to offer my reassurance that tackling serious and violent crime is a priority for the force and we, alongside partner agencies, continue to work hard to tackle this area of crime and associated criminality.

“We need the help and support of our communities to assist us in doing this. If you ever see anything suspicious or anything that concerns you, or have any information about those who may carry weapons or be involved in violent crime, please contact us.”

* Police are continuing to appeal to the public for information about the murders. To give information relating to Claire Louise Smith, quote incident number 200 of May 19; Jill Hibberd, quote incident number 141 of May 31 and Dawid Szubert, quote incident number 605 of June 17. You can contact police on 101, the incident room on 01709 443510 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.