Summer spike in unruly behaviour

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in Dinnington has soared during the second month of the summer.

In July there were 107 incidents of anti-social behaviour recorded by South Yorkshire Police, compared with 75 in June and 61 in May. Figures for August are not yet available.

Last year police acquired special extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the form of a dispersal order.

This order gave officers the power to move groups of youngsters on if they were congregated in a particular place. The order was hailed as a success as incidents of anti-social behaviour plummeted.

This latest rise coincides with the start of the school holidays and warm weather – though no information is available about whether the incidents involve youngsters.

The figures, from the police’s own crime map service, show that incidents are spread right across the town.

No one from South Yorkshire Police was available to comment about the possible reasons for the rise as the Guardian went to press.

Town and borough councillor Simon Tweed said the rise in anti-social behaviour was “disappointing” but also urged people not to automatically lay the blame on the town’s youngsters.

“It is very disappointing to see a rise in anti-social behaviour in Dinnington during July compared to the figures in both May and June which were good,” he said.

“From a personal point of a view I have not noticed any increase during the day whilst walking through the town centre, and this leads me to believe that these incidents are taking place during evening hours.”

“However until I see a breakdown of the actual figures, which I will be requesting from the local police commander, it is very unfair to blame the rise on the youth hanging around on street corners during the school holidays.”

He continued: “In some cases repeated anti-social behaviour incidents are being caused a very small minority of adults who should know better.”

“I urge all residents to report these incidents to the police so that they can swiftly deal with the culprits and make our local town a nice place to live.”

He added: “Finally I think it is worth mentioning that the local police in Dinnington are working very hard to crack crime and this is starting to show with our area having some of the best crime figures within the South Yorkshire force.”

To see the crime map figures, visit www.police.uk and type in your area.

Have you noticed an increase in antisocial behaviour over the summer? And do you think the police are doing enough to tackle it?

Get in touch by calling 01909 500500 or emailing [email protected]