BARNSLEY’S widely praised policing model is set to be reinforced thanks to a project which aims to bring in more officers to boost the public’s confidence and tackle crime.

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee (NPG) is a government scheme designed to restore public confidence and enhance visible policing.

Having been praised by Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock, South Yorkshire Police bosses have also backed the NPG as something which will strengthen local police teams’ ability to deal with crime.

A total of £5m has been secured via the NPG - money which will be used on providing more staff.

Superintendent Mark James told the Chronicle that Barnsley’s cohort will be ‘resourced correctly’.

“Neighbourhood policing teams are critically important to our communities and Barnsley’s model has been replicated nationwide,” he said.

“In times of austerity we lost that but took a major step to get it back.

“Neighbourhood policing is now embedded in everything that we do - it’s a culture in the town and it’s proven to work.”

According to the government, a raft of changes will be made as part of the NPG.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The government is committed to a strong neighbourhood offering to everyone, no matter where they live.

“We have worked closely with the NPCC and other sector leads to develop the guarantee for the public.

“By July, every community will have named, and contactable, officers dedicated to tackling the issues facing their communities.

“Local communities and businesses will also have ongoing opportunities to engage with neighbourhood teams and raise local concerns and priorities through regular local beat meetings.

“Every force will have an antisocial behaviour lead, who will be starting to develop an action plan addressing the local issues faced in communities and town centres.

“Forces will have increased patrols in town centres and other hotspots based on local demand and intelligence, tackling key local issues such as antisocial behaviour, shop theft and vandalism and giving the enhanced visibility and presence that our high streets have been crying out for.

“Every force will ensure that neighbourhood teams spend the majority of their time in their communities providing visible patrols and engaging with local communities and businesses.”

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.

Ms Cooper added: “The Home Office worked closely with policing to develop the approach for 2025 to 2026, marking the first year of a four-year programme.

‘This approach is designed to deliver an initial increase to the neighbourhood policing workforce in a flexible manner, adaptable to local contexts and varying crime demands.”