RESIDENTS in the Oakwell area who have been plagued with antisocial behaviour and drug use are finally set to see a heavy police presence after months of complaints.
Local Heather Linney, 54, has been running a Facebook group regarding the increase in crime in the area - and over the past few months she’s recorded a total of 81 incidents, but she admits the real figure will be much higher than that.
She told the Chronicle: “Antisocial behaviour has been happening for years.
“We’ve only recently started documenting what has been going on on our Facebook page.
“I’ve sort of taken control of that and we’ve documented 81 separate incidents so far - but there’s definitely been more than that.
“These incidents range from people trying door and car handles all the way to a car being firebombed.
“We’ve had real extreme incidents take place.”
Police say they need to residents to report the crimes to them, rather than posting them online, in order to act.
But Heather admits that a lot of the residents are too scared to do that.
“There’s families here that have very young children and babies,” she added.
“And then there’s also elderly residents who have lived here for years.
“People are scared to report the crimes in case they are harassed.
“But I’m not scared.
“I’m a community person and I want what’s best.”
At a recent PACT meeting, residents turned out in force to call for the police to do more - and Heather said she was pleased with the response from the residents, and subsequently the police have been more proactive with their patrols.
“We have to make a lot of noise,” she added.
“We’ve now had a higher level of police presence.
“At least they’re trying.
“But we send details of drug dealing happening outside the football club and the shop but police come at the wrong time.
“Even though there’s been some action from the police, we need more.”
A residents’ meeting was held on Tuesday night - and further pop-up stalls will be held in the area as part of the police’s Operation Oakwell.
A spokesperson said: “We have this month increased our patrols and visibility within the Oakwell area, due to recent reports of issues around antisocial behaviour and drug abuse in the area.
“Teams from across the force, including our mounted department have also joined us to offer a greater police presence and provide reassurance to the residents.
“Our local PCSOs will be holding engagement stands outside ‘The Red Shop’, where they will be happy to give advice and support in relation to any questions that you may have.”
The next meeting will be held today between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.
An antisocial behaviour survey has also been launched, which can be found on the police’s website.
