INVESTMENT in Barnsley’s neighbourhood policing teams in order to respond to rocketing levels of antisocial behaviour quicker has been identified as a top priority - but residents will have to pay extra for it.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has launched his first consultation to set the policing precept since he took on Police and Crime Commissioner responsibilities, with a raft of measures set out.
Since then, he has been responsible for working closely with Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, Barnsley Council and local communities to better understand crime-related issues.
The proposed precept rise is set at an extra 27p per week for Band D property - or £265 a year - and an extra 18p per week for Band A property, which equates to £167 a year.
He has also pledged to protect police resources, maximising officers and services, and establish a new ‘Community Confidence Board’ to improve trust and confidence in the force.
As well as antisocial behaviour reductions, the police want to clamp down on burglary, serious violence, 999 pick-up times and sexual offences.
Mayor Coppard said: “South Yorkshire Police rely on the money raised through the precept to fund the work that they do.
“After 14 years of police budgets being squeezed by the last government, the money we raise locally to pay for policing is more important than ever.
“I am proud of the work South Yorkshire Police do every day to keep us safe.
“But of course, there is always more we can do - I want to see South Yorkshire Police continue to prioritise knife crime, and I want our roads to become much, much safer, to do more to tackle antisocial behaviour and neighbourhood crime, and when crime does happen, to respond more quickly.
“I want people to have more confidence in policing across South Yorkshire.
“I’m determined to keep our communities safe, to do everything I can to give the police the capacity, the resources and the support they need to do their job and to truly respond to the challenges we face. / / / /
“As South Yorkshire’s Mayor, it is ultimately my job to set the police precept, to balance the needs of the police with what people can afford.
“But, before setting the level of the precept for the next 12 months, I want to know what people think, so I’d appreciate people taking a few minutes/ to fill in the consultation.”
Barnsley’s crime rate is 105.69 per 1,000 residents, including a residential burglary rate of 6.03 per 1,000 people, England’s ninth highest.
However antisocial behaviour - which encompasses everything from illegal off-road biking to causing alarm of distress to people - remains the most-committed crime in Barnsley.
Figures obtained by the Chronicle show a total of 30,297 incidents were reported in the town last year.
“I want to shape the future of policing with our communities, so I’m asking as many people as possible to complete the consultation we’ve developed, so I can make the best decisions for our communities,” he added.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure, whoever they are and wherever they are, and I am committed to making that a reality.”
The consultation will run until noon on February 3. To take part, visit https://forms.office.com/e/71LQhxePkz
