More stop and searches as Doncaster police work to keep the peace after shooting

Investigations continue into the tragic death of 20-year-old Lewis Williams, and three people have already been charged with his murder.

There is still a lot of work going on around the shooting in terms of the investigations, and in terms of keeping the peace in the area and keeping the community at ease.

Mexborough already has more focused patrols and stop and searches, but that has been upped a notch, and resources from across South Yorkshire Police are here at present, and there is an ongoing appeal for information.

Stop and searches have been ongoing. Before the tragic shooting, we had seen a number result in arrests or cautions for possession of drugs, including at Simpson Place on December 30, Main Street on January 3, Cowper Road on January 6 and also on Coniston Road.

Since the increase in patrols, stop and search arrests or warnings for possession of drugs have included three arrests on Doncaster Road on January 15, a man charged with possession of drugs on Wath Road on January 17, a formal warning on Flowitt Street on January 19, two formal warnings on Doncaster Road on January 20 and a formal warning on January 23.

Conisbrough has also seen similar arrests and warnings. Vehicles were stopped and searched on Doncaster Road on December 28, and on Burcroft Hill on January 24. A man was given a formal warning after a search on Chestnut Grove on January 21.

Another stop and search led to a man being charged with possession of a lock knife on Skipton Close on January 17.

In another incident in Mexborough, a fire at an industrial unit on Swinton Road led to the discovery of around 350 cannabis plants being cultivated inside the building. The fire was put out in time to find the set-up, and a man has been arrested and bailed.

Elsewhere, drug cultivation set-ups were also found in Edlington, with around 100 cannabis plants found on January 6, and in Bentley, where 30 plants were found on West End Avenue on January 6, and on Staveley Street on January 10.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.