Increased anti-social behaviour (ASB) patrols by South Yorkshire Police are proving effective, with local residents responding positively and incident rates falling.
The South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and Sheffield City Council collaborated to assess the positive impact of increased officer patrols in local communities across the region.
Since commencing patrols in July, officers have made 21 arrests, carried out 45 stops and searches, and confiscated a total of four knives, one knuckle duster, and one nunchuck.
Chief Inspector John Mallows, the force ASB lead, said: “It is really positive to hear how well received our increased patrols have been in local communities.
“Tackling ASB is a priority for the force, and we are dedicated to working towards ways on how we can support victims and the wider community further.”
Whilst on patrols, officers addressed over 300 incidents, including reports of nuisance youths and off-road bikes, street drinking, small fires, and general incident reporting.
Earlier this year, South Yorkshire Police detailed their strategy for the £2.4 million in funding targeting ASB hotspots.
Dr Alan Billings, Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire, said: “I am determined to take anti-social behaviour seriously. It can blight the lives of individuals and communities alike.
“It is often the relentless nature of it and the seeming inability to be able do anything about it that really gets people down.”
This week commemorates six months since the Home Office initiated the ASB Action Plan, a targeted strategy collaborating with local agencies to address ASB throughout England and Wales.
The Home Office has funded the increased ASB patrols for the next two years, and South Yorkshire is among the 10 pilot areas selected to receive this national bid funding.