FREE wi-fi could be switched off in part of Penistone town centre in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour.
Problems with youths gathering in the town’s Market Barn have been made a police priority.
And Sgt Brad Wynne says reports of incidents have fallen since the crackdown.
But he told a meeting of Police and Community Together that free wi-fi could be a factor in youths gathering at the barn and suggested the Town Council could turn off the facility in the evenings.
“When I was covering Grimethorpe, wi-fi was turned off at a problem site after school finished and the problem was significantly reduced,” he said.
“It’s better if we can work out how to manage the kids in any given location. Better to do that than move them on.”
Coun Dave Griffin said: “The purpose of wi-fi was to help traders who might to need to conduct business.”
He said the youth service attached to the town’s Working Together Fund might be able to help.
Sgt Wynne said: “The barn area will stay a priority. It is something we will always keep an eye on.”
