Doncaster Council to pay South Yorkshire Police for extra officers to patrol town centreÂ

Doncaster Council is paying South Yorkshire Police to provide extra officers to patrol the town centre.  Â
Officers on patrol in Doncaster town centre. Picture: George TorrOfficers on patrol in Doncaster town centre. Picture: George Torr
Officers on patrol in Doncaster town centre. Picture: George Torr

The initial three-month pilot begins on September 3 in response to growing anger from residents and business owners surrounding anti-social behaviour and drug issues. The scheme could be extended if successful. 

Council bosses haven't revealed how much it's costing the authority or how its being funded. 

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Two public meetings have been held in Doncaster town calling on authorities to do more to tackle the problems, namely surrounding the Spice and begging. 

The scheme includes joint patrols of police officers and the council's neighbourhood and town centre teams. They will be on duty seven days a week from 7am to 10pm.

The additional resources of at least two police officers and two police community support officers (PCSOs) will increase the current town centre team of six police officers including a sergeant and seven council officers.

Discussions between Mayor Ros Jones, council chief executive Jo Miller and South Yorkshire Police have taken place as part of a '˜coordinated response to issues in the town centre' which are '˜affecting visitors and businesses'.

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Mayor Ros Jones said: "We have listened to what residents, visitors and businesses have told us and are acting upon it with concerted action and effort. We have been working with local businesses for over a year now to tackle these issues with some success.

'However, it is clear that these complex issues will not be resolved easily so we must go further to tackle the issues head on by working together.

'All public services are under financial pressure and we have to work together to solve shared challenges. This arrangement is an example of that.

'I believe this joint approach with everyone who has pride in our town centre will achieve real results and we will continue to work hard to make this happen.'

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Doncaster Chief Inspector Jayne Forrest of South Yorkshire Police added: 'Together with partners we are responding to the recent spike in the town centre around these issues and are finalising an enhanced patrol plan.

'I am committed to making Doncaster town centre a pleasant place to live, work and study and through collective efforts I know we can all make a difference.'

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