Police warn Doncaster parents over anti-social yobs breaking lockdown in Frenchgate Centre

We have received numerous reports of anti-social behaviour in the Frenchgate Centre at weekends, writes Insp Mark Payling.
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Groups of young people have been there in breach of Covid legislation, some causing criminal damage.

In one incident, a youth jumped from an escalator onto a photo booth, damaging it. Others have assaulted members of the public after they made comments.

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I ask parents to warn children about such behaviour – you will be liable to pay their fines. We have many incidents on CCTV.

St. Sepulchre Gate and Frenchgate, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Town Centre MC 1St. Sepulchre Gate and Frenchgate, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Town Centre MC 1
St. Sepulchre Gate and Frenchgate, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Town Centre MC 1
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Dog thefts are a hot topic on many Doncaster Facebook sites. We have received nine reports about such incidents between January 1 and February 28 across all Doncaster.

I urge anyone who sees anything suspicious or had a dog stolen to report it quickly, to us build up the intelligence picture and address the problem.

Elsewhere, a homeowner on Chestnut Drive, Wheatley Hills, stopped a man in his garden after returning from work in the early hours of February 11. After letting his dog into the garden, he saw a man running towards him. He detained him after a brief scuffle and police were called. The man he stopped had items from a garage and was charged with burglary.

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We raided an 800-plant cannabis cultivation on February 14 in a disused pub building on St Sepulchre Gate West. Three people were detained and released under investigation.

Days later another person was seen removing boarding, entering the same building and putting items into a car. She was charged and bailed for burglary, disqualified driving and uninsured.

We carried out drugs raids at properties on Chester Road, Intake, Cusworth House and Great Central Avenue, Balby, making arrests at each.

CCTV staff identified two men appearing to have broken into Anne Summers in the town centre on March 3.

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They were tracked and stopped with bags of shop items. They were arrested and later charged.

We have tried to increase speed awareness operations over the past month, with eight at locations including Gattison Lane, Grange Road and West End Lane, Rossington; Wentworth Road, Wheatley; Bennetthorpe in town; Doncaster Road, Bawtry and High Street, Austerfield.

Finally, we will look at the feasibility of re-introducing our engagement activity as lockdown eases. Our next Facebook engagement event is on April 29 from 5.30pm until 6.30pm.

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.