Anti-social behaviour ‘drastically reduced’

POLICE have praised a partnership approach after positive results on anti-social behaviour across the borough.

In Swinton, there was an issue around the town centre, with issues at the civic hall and library windows being smashed regularly.

Chief Supt Laura Koscikiewicz, Rotherham’s district commander, said: “We put on high-visibility and plain-clothed patrols, and community cautions were issued to two youths who were being aggressive and abusive to people.

“We had pop-up police stations and engaged with the schools, as well as working with Rotherham Council on adding CCTV and cleaning up the green spaces.

“The problem has been drastically reduced, to the point where we no longer need that bespoke operation.”

At Maltby, extra police attention followed a spate of 31 commercial burglaries between January and April.

Chief Supt Koscikiewicz said: “Since then, there has been one commercial burglary and an almost 30 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour.”

Weekly walkabouts with police and partners have been started in Rotherham town centre over concerns about anti-social behaviour and robberies.

RMBC has appointed a new co-ordinator to work closely with officers on areas of concern such as the bus station.

And notable recent successes in the courts have seen a burglar given nine months in prison for targeting a pharmacy and a shoplifter given eight weeks, the district commander said.