Police officers set to be based in Mexborough as part of shake-up

Officers are to be based in Mexborough for the first time in several years with immediate effect, and plans are in the pipeline for similar action in the east of the borough.

It comes as part of a major change which officers hope will help them connect better with the communities.

The first move has led to an inspector and a sergeant being based in Mexborough police station.

Similar moves could be taken for Stainforth and Thorne, where the force still has police stations, but which do not have officers based there full time. All officers were based centrally in police stations in Doncaster, Adwick and Rossington under a previous reorganisation.

But the new chief constable Stephen Watson wants to bring back more community policing.

Supt Neil Thomas said: “We have been given the green light to put officers back into Mexborough. The number has not been firmed up yet.

“Some of those will be working on specific neighbourhood issues like antisocial behaviour and drug and gang-related issues.

“Each of the three neighbourhoods will get dedicated neighbourhood officers.

“Those going to Mexborough will be looking at issues in Mexborough and Edlington.”

At present police officers are sent out from wherever they are in Doncaster as response officers, often while out in their cars.

Under the new plans, bosses want officers to build links with other groups in their neighbourhoods. They would be working closer to the issues and would be given more freedom to act to sort problems on the ground.

Officers targeted parts of Mexborough last year after gang-related issues in the town. Officers are also now trying to take action over issues or crime and antisocial behaviour in parts of Edlington.