Over the past few months I have been meeting with local police officers to discuss crime and antisocial behaviour in our area. I have been on walkabouts with local police officers in Hoyland and Grimethorpe, as well as attending meetings with local councillors and police leaders to work on a Barnsley wide strategy about how to make our communities safer. 

I recently had a meeting at Barnsley Town Hall with the police and local councillors to discuss the policing strategy to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour throughout the district. This was followed by the biannual Police and Crime Commissioner meeting with the other South Yorkshire MPs to discuss issues affecting policing across the region.  

During the meetings, I raised the cases of anti-social behaviour in Grimethorpe, including the instances which led to Stagecoach amending their services to the area.  Between 2nd – 7th March the stagecoach buses 27, 27A, 27B, and 28C did not stop at Grimethorpe Interchange and the 208 service did not service Grimethorpe at all after 18:30, due to incidents which put both employees and passengers at risk.  

Along with Inspector Spratt, I went on a walk around the affected area in Grimethorpe. It was useful to discuss how the police are tackling anti-social behaviour in the area, as well as the challenges which local police officers are facing. I also had a walkabout with the local police officers in Hoyland in March around the West Street area.  

The policing situation remains very difficult, both in Barnsley and at a national level. There are still too few police officers and over a decade worth of cuts to police budgets means there are huge pressures on both resources and police time. The police are working under difficult circumstances to keep us safe. 

I am going to be meeting local police units across Barnsley East to get more localised information for each area. I will continue to keep you updated and if there is anything I can help with please do not hesitate to get in touch.