MORE bobbies on the beat delivered as part of a government pledge to boost safety in communities have been welcomed by a Barnsley MP.
Stephanie Peacock, who represents Barnsley South, commented on new figures showing that the government has met its target of putting 3,000 more police officers and community support officers on the street in communities two months early.
This is part of the government’s plan to put 13,000 more officers on the street by the end of this Parliament as part of its aim to tackle crime across the country.
The increase in neighbourhood officers is already delivering results, according to the MP, with almost 18,000 arrests taking place across December and January in towns and cities in England.
Stephanie said: “I am really pleased to hear that the government’s target of recruiting 3,000 police officers and community support officers has been achieved two months early.
“I know that crime is a real concern to people across the Barnsley community.
“Everyone should feel safe in their local area and Labour are committed to delivering on this.
“This is part of our plan to recruit 13,000 more police and community support officers across this Parliament.
“Thank you to the brave officers who work hard to keep us safe every day.”
South Yorkshire Police had axed its former ‘Safer Neighbourhood Team’ structure in a bid to slash £8.1m from its budget in 2015 a widely criticised decision which saw bobbies being taken out of the communities they knew in favour of a move to Wombwell.
But a U-turn was performed following the backlash and an initial four hubs in Barnsley town centre, Goldthorpe, Kendray and Royston began operating in 2017, joined by officers based at Cudworth and Penistone in 2018 and Hoyland thereafter.
Central, West, South, North, North East and South East police officers are joined by Barnsley Council staff predominantly those responsible for housing, antisocial behaviour and enforcement at their respective hubs.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard added: “One of the most important jobs I have is to make sure South Yorkshire Police has the resources it needs to keep us and our communities safe.
“That means making sure our police are focused on the priorities we share, and that every pound is spent wisely to deliver on those priorities.
“I’ve heard what matters most: reducing neighbourhood crime, more visible policing on our streets, tackling antisocial behaviour and serious, violent crime, and making our transport network safer.
“A modest increase to the police precept would help the police to tackle those priorities.
“Every year, I have to make tough decisions about how we fund policing balancing what our police need to do their job with the impact on household budgets.”
