DRUG abusers who are using tucked-away corners of the town centre to buy and deal have been warned they will be caught - after the police launched an anti-crime crackdown at the request of residents.
Calls for more policing activity at known hotspots have been answered by the Barnsley Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, whose officers instated the issue as a priority.
Officers, councillors and the public will meet at the town centre’s Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting at Westgate Plaza on Thursday to discuss progress.
A police statement said: “Drug-related activity has been identified by residents as a concern within the town centre, with known hotspot areas for both users and dealers.
“People said they would like to see increased policing activity in these areas to address the issues and provide reassurance to those visiting and working within the town centre.
“The town centre team conduct operations every month, making use of a passive drugs dog to target known hotspots and identify and prosecute those individuals concerned in the supply and use of drugs.”
The town centre’s recently upgraded CCTV system - which consists of 43 high-definition, 360-degree cameras - is being used to pinpoint offences.
According to police statistics for Barnsley town centre, a total of 163 drug-related offences were recorded in 2025, although Thursday’s meeting is set to provide details of January’s reports.
As well as the drug update, officers are set to discuss general antisocial behaviour and begging in the area - all of which infringe on the so-called public spaces protection order (PSPO), which restricts and bans known offenders from entering the zone.
The police statement added: “The team make use of the CCTV system and, in conjunction with other colleagues, conduct intelligence-led operations to disrupt drugs activities.
“Antisocial behaviour, vagrancy and persistent begging have been highlighted by people as issues within the town centre.
“Some of those involved are vulnerable or have other personal or social needs that the police and partners such as Barnsley Council and youth services assist with.
“Every week the police work alongside council street wardens, conducting joint patrols to enforce the town centre’s PSPO.
“This provides an opportunity for officers to engage with people to highlight their behaviour and the impact this is having, while also providing advice and sign-posting to various support agencies that are available.
“To address antisocial behaviour, the team conduct high-profile enforcement operations but also make use of education and engagement opportunities in an effort to divert young people away from behaviour that causes alarm and distress to residents, visitors and workers within the town centre.”
