Crackdown on nuisance youths 'breaching Covid rules' in Doncaster village

Police are cracking down on gangs of youths in a Doncaster village who have been accused of antisocial behaviour and breaking lockdown rules.
By David Kessen
Published 11th Jul 2020, 10:00 BST
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Officers from the Doncaster East neighbourhood policing team have video footage of youths they are using to identify those involved in the problem in Kirk Sandall, and say they will issue antisocial behaviour contracts against them.

South Yorkshire Police revealed they would be taking action with a statement on the Doncaster East neighbourhood policing team social media page.

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It stated: “We are having reports of large groups of youths congregating in the Doncaster East area. We have some footage of the youths from Kirk Sandall where up to 30 have been gathering. Once identified they will be receiving a visit from us. This is breaching COVID regulations and they are also causing anti-social behaviour in the community. We will be issuing anti-social behaviour contracts on these youths.”

Vandalism football pitches at Kirk Sandall Doncaster. Complaints about brokerage glass on them and vandalism on the grandstand.Vandalism football pitches at Kirk Sandall Doncaster. Complaints about brokerage glass on them and vandalism on the grandstand.
Vandalism football pitches at Kirk Sandall Doncaster. Complaints about brokerage glass on them and vandalism on the grandstand.

It follows concerns within the community about nuisance behaviour in several locations in the village.

These have included the area near St Oswalds Church, parts of Dentons Green Lane, Kirk Sandall Rec, and the nearby football pitches.

Residents have raised concerns about groups drinking alcohol and abusing nitrous oxide, or ‘laughng gas’.

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Chris Morrison, who coaches a junior football team and serves on Barnby Dun with Kirk Sandall Parish Council, said the football pitches had been one of the latest areas to see a problem.

Vandalism football pitches at Kirk Sandall Doncaster. Complaints about brokerage glass on them and vandalism on the grandstand.Vandalism football pitches at Kirk Sandall Doncaster. Complaints about brokerage glass on them and vandalism on the grandstand.
Vandalism football pitches at Kirk Sandall Doncaster. Complaints about brokerage glass on them and vandalism on the grandstand.

He said: “Groups of youths have started using the main stand there as a congregation area, but we are seeing broken bottles on the pitches.

"We don’t want to see under 12s getting cut knees because of this.

“There are children’s football teams who play on those pitches, and we are worried about this. There has been damage to the stand where people have gained entry into it, and some pallisade fencing has been pulled down.

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"There are also a few people who have been intimidated by groups of youths. It has been on ongoing issue, and of course there is also the issue of social distancing.”

He said he was pleased to see police taking action.