BURGLARY rates in Barnsley have more than doubled in only 12 months, it has emerged, massively outstripping a national rise in overall crime of 13 per cent.
The trend has seen worried residents signing up for Neighbourhood Watch schemes, ending years of dwindling numbers involved in that movement.
The most recent figures available end in August this year and reveal that in the first eight months of this year there were 1,714 complaints of burglary. That compares to 818 for the same period in 2016.
It means that by the end of August there had been substantially more burglaries across the town than during the whole of last year, when 1,443 offences were reported.
The figures also show a shift in offending patterns over the period, with the west of Barnsley - an area which includes the more affluent areas of Penistone and suburbs like Mapplewell and Darton - more badly hit than the east of Barnsley, with more deprived communities including the Dearne Valley, Grimethorpe and Cudworth.
Traditionally, crime has tended to be higher in areas of deprivation, where many offenders live as most operate relatively close to home.
During some months this year, the west of Barnsley has experienced particularly steep increases, with figures recorded were treble the 2016 burglary rates in February, March and June.
January was the only month when the offending rate was less than double, with figures still rising by more than 50 per cent that month.
In Barnsley East, the increase has been less pronounced, though offending rates are still considerably higher than 2016, with 779 incidents until the end of August, compared to 449 in the same period last year.
Offences doubled in February, April and May, though in July the total reported fell slightly on the previous year.
The situation has seen a surge in interest among residents wanting to set up Neighbourhood Watch groups, said Barnsley co-ordinator John Hallows.
For years the system of neighbours keeping an eye on each other’s homes had been in decline, but new groups are being set up in areas including Kendray and Dodworth.
The group is also seeking fresh funding to help with its crime prevention work.
Coun Dave Griffin represents the west Barnsley ward of Penistone West and also sits on the police and crime panel, which monitors the work of Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings.
He said: “This appears to bear out what residents are feeling, that this sort of crime is rising and, according to these figures, it is rising dramatically.
“This is against a 13 per cent rise in crime in England and Wales. Crime is up everywhere, not just South Yorkshire. However these statistics are shocking.”
Wider figures from the Office for National Statistics show that across South Yorkshire there were 15,690 burglaries in the year to June, compared to 12,407 for the previous 12 months.
That increase of around 25 per cent is high, but remains dwarfed by the spiral in offending in Barnsley.
There has been a problem this year in parts of Barnsley with so-called ‘two in one’ burglaries, where the criminals’ main objective is to steal the keys for cars parked outside.
Prestige European marques are a key target and in one incident this summer, a house in Silkstone Common was burgled with two cars taken.
The house was also thoroughly searched as the occupants slept, with other items, including jewellery and computers, also taken.
The cars were later recovered, including one which had been parked in Stocksbridge.
Police believe at least some of those offences have been the work of Sheffield-based offenders.
Chief Superintendent Scott Green said: “Whereas last year, burglaries were recorded in two different categories dwelling and non-dwelling this year burglaries are recorded as ‘residential’ and ‘business’. This means that, for example, a shed burglary is now considered to be a residential burglary.
“That said, there has still been an increase, particularly since the beginning of the calendar year. This is where we hope the reintroduction of neighbourhood policing will bring some real positive change.
“By working more closely with our local communities and partner agencies, becoming aware of emerging issues and concerns earlier and putting in place preventative and targeted plans, we hope that we can combat this issue together.
“We want you to feel reassured that your police force listens to your concerns and takes action to address them we have reopened Penistone Police Station as a result of feedback from our residents and businesses in that area.
“We absolutely understand the distress and upset caused by burglary and take robust action against any individual committing this type of crime.”
Chief Superintendent Scott Green said: “Whereas last year, burglaries were recorded in two different categories dwelling and non-dwelling this year burglaries are recorded as ‘residential’ and ‘business’. This means that, for example, a shed burglary is now considered to be a residential burglary.
“That said, there has still been an increase, particularly since the beginning of the calendar year. This is where we hope the reintroduction of neighbourhood policing will bring some real positive change.
“By working more closely with our local communities and partner agencies, becoming aware of emerging issues and concerns earlier and putting in place preventative and targeted plans, we hope that we can combat this issue together.
“We want you to feel reassured that your police force listens to your concerns and takes action to address them we have reopened Penistone Police Station as a result of feedback from our residents and businesses in that area.
“We absolutely understand the distress and upset caused by burglary and take robust action against any individual committing this type of crime.”
