Crime levels soar across borough

ALMOST every area in Barnsley has seen crime increase in the last few months as incidents hit year-high peaks.

More than 2,400 crimes were committed in Barnsley’s four policing wards – Central, West, North East and South East – in August, according to the latest figures available.

The North East ward saw almost 1,000 incidents reported to South Yorkshire Police – 340 of them related to violence and sexual offences.

Violence and sexual offences once again accounted for the majority of crimes, with more than 60 public order offences included in the list.

There were more than 640 offences in Barnsley West – which covers Dodworth and Penistone – the second-highest number of incidents in the area in the past 12 months.

The South East ward –which includes Wombwell, Hoyland and Thurnscoe – was the only area in the town to see incidents drop below previous levels. There were 676 incidents in total – lowest in the last year.