Police pledge to crack down on Doncaster gang warfare after confirming shootings are linked

In recent weeks, a number of homes in Cantley and Wheatley have been shot at, the latest coming yesterday when three gunmen fired at a house in Barnby Dun Road.

A house in Winchester Avenue was also blasted last Sunday while last month, a property in Aldesworth Road, Cantley also saw an eruption of violence which saw one man arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Now South Yorkshire Police has moved to reassure residents after the spate of recent incidents – and has said it will flood the streets with officers to come down hard on Doncaster’s gangs.

DCI Jamie Henderson said: “I understand the concern that incidents like the ones we have experienced recently across Doncaster may cause. I know the impact they have on our communities and I want to offer my assurance that there is a robust plan in place to ensure the continued safety of local residents.

“The incidents we have seen happen in recent weeks are all linked and involve people who are known to each other. We strongly believe that they are all connected to organised crime.”

“Over the weekend, and in the coming weeks we will be deploying significant numbers of officers across Doncaster. Their focus is to disrupt organised crime gangs and their activity. We will not tolerate their presence in our borough."

On May 6, a 30-year-old man was seriously injured in a shooting in Aldesworth Road.

Graham Del Mar, 52, of Aldesworth Road, has appeared in court charged with attempted murder while a 15-year-old boy and two men aged 18 and 27, who were arrested following the incident, have been released under investigation.

Then on Sunday, shots were fired at a house in Winchester Avenue, Wheatley, with windows being smashed in the attack. Nearby residents reported hearing a volley of gunfire in the late night attack.

Then yesterday, police sealed off a house in Barnby Dun Road after shots were fired.

Added DCI Henderson: ”Neighbourhood officers will continue to work with partners and community representatives, they are also there for you to talk to, share your concerns and offer reassurance that we are taking these incidents extremely seriously.

“In addition, I have a dedicated team of specialist detectives carrying out enquiries, and these investigations are moving quickly. We have already charged one person with attempted murder as part of our investigation into a recent Cantley shooting and have also seized several firearms.”

“We are making every effort possible to identify and deal with the people responsible. We have, in recent years, seen encouraging results in our work to tackle violent crime: our multi-agency approach under Operation Fortify continues to yield results.

“If you have doubts, suspicions, or fears about someone you know, there are ways to talk about it. You can call us, on 101, or if that’s difficult, speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and you’ll remain completely anonymous, but we will get the information we need to keep people safe.”