I took part in a police patrol to support Operation Sceptre -; South Yorkshire Police’s initiative to tackle knife crime which was undertaken as part of a series of events taking place this week across the country.

Knife crime is a major problem, and young people in particular are affected by this blight on our society which urgently needs tackling.

Joining our dedicated police officers out on the beat was a great opportunity to see first-hand the practical, hands on work our local police services are doing across Barnsley.

Despite unprecedented cuts to community policing and police resources under the Tories, including the loss of over 20,000 officers from our streets, initiatives like this show South Yorkshire Police are continuing to do everything they can to keep our community safe.