Update Nov 23

Updated 28th April 2023

Along with other South Yorkshire MPs today I met the Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Billings and senior police representatives from the city region.A range of issues were discussed including the need to tackle anti social behaviour and visible policing.

It is clear there is still huge pressure on police budgets despite the claims of central government. That’s why Labour has a plan to fund 13,000 extra neighbourhood police and PCSOs to provide support across the country.

Having been approached by constituents with horrifying stories about dangerous dogs, including the XL bully breed, I pressed the Police and Crime Commissioner and officers on the actions being taken on this issue—and the need for a stronger response.

Please continue to get in touch with me about policing issues in the constituency to raise at my regular meetings with the police. You can email me at ed.miliband.mp@parliament.uk

Update 24^th March 2023

Last week, following on from concerns raised by both constituents and Councillors from Bentley, Adwick and Carcroft, and Roman Ridge wards, I spoke with Chief Superintendent Ian Proffitt from Doncaster Police.

DANGEROUS DOGS

I explained the concerns raised by local constituents and Councillors in Bentley, Roman Ridge and Adwick and Carcroft wards regarding dogs that have attacked dog walkers and their pets while out walking; in particular, issues around “XL Bullies”. Doncaster Police share these concerns and South Yorkshire Police have put in two additional Dog Liaison Officers trained to support front-line officers where dogs are out of control. There has been a huge increase in the last four years in dog removals. Where dogs fit within definition of “dangerous dogs” under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is relatively straight forward for the Police, it is more difficult however to fit the definition of a dog being “dangerously out of control”. “XL Bullies” are not classified as “dangerous dogs” under the Act. The police are collating data on dog attacks and I was told about some horrendous attacks elsewhere in South Yorkshire where people have been seriously injured or died from attacks by “XL Bullies”. On my part, I have written to the Secretary of State for DEFRA on this issue about the law so it can properly tackle the problem.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

We discussed the district’s response to burglary. Operation Castle is a proactive operation set up to tackle residential burglaries in Doncaster. It consists of a detective led team based at Adwick Police Station. Their role is to target known burglars, identify trends and patterns, and to drive proactive work and directed patrols. They link up with the offender management team to manage those convicted burglars within the community that are on prison licence. The team also provides high quality investigations to secure charges and ensure successful convictions at court.

The police say we are starting to see reductions in burglary across the borough. In the first month, since the team came into being they have arrested 10 suspects for burglary with some notable results. One suspect has been charged with 12 offences including aggravated burglary, 4 dwelling burglaries, and 4 attempted burglaries. He has been identified for 7 more dwelling burglaries and is due to be interviewed again next week in prison. Another suspect has been charged with 1 burglary and 5 frauds. And a third has been arrested for burglary and recalled to prison.

You can read more on this in this recent column by the District Commander – https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/…/police-column…

VEHICLE THEFTS

Operation Camel Alpha is a proactive operation targeting theft of motor vehicles, particularly focussing on a trend where transit vans and Landrovers are being targeted. Doncaster has support from the Force Roads Policing Team to disrupt criminals on the roads. Doncaster has directed this support to areas including Stainforth, Askern and the surrounding area. Vehicle crime decreased in December and January. A prominent member of an organised crime group, involved in acquisitive crime, was recalled to prison and two other individuals have been charged and remanded for commercial burglary. Both are from the North-East of Doncaster. Both are well known for vehicle theft.

CRIME PREVENTION

Faraday bags (which protect against key theft) and stickers (‘no tools left in this vehicle overnight’) have been given out as part of the Central NPT Christmas campaign. These were given to either victims of motor vehicle thefts, or those with specific concerns over vehicle security. Around 200 faraday bags and 200 stickers have been distributed. The bags are designed to contain car keys and prevent them being cloned, a common cause for keyless theft of motor vehicle.