- 129 new police officers have been recruited over the last year through the government’s police recruitment drive to join South Yorkshire Police.
- Alexander Stafford MP spoke in Parliament to call for a substantial number of these new officers to be stationed in Maltby and Dinnington.
- Alexander Stafford MP also called for the opening of a new police station on Dinnington High Street to curb anti-social behaviour.
Today in Parliament local MP, Alexander Stafford, called on the Minister of State for Crime and Policing, Kit Malthouse, to ensure that some of the 129 new police officers recruited by the government to join South Yorkshire Police are not only stationed at Maltby police station, but are also accessible and available for residents to speak to them directly.
Alexander also called for some of these police to be based at a new police base in Dinnington which he has been campaigning for in order to clamp down on anti-social crime, and he has called on the Police and Crime Commissioner to use his powers, as confirmed today, to make these changes.
In January, Alexander held an online consultation with Rother Valley residents regarding local crime in which over 200 residents identified Dinnington as the most worrisome area. This was closely followed by Maltby.
Over 500 residents agreed that they would like to see more police on the beat in Rother Valley to help combat local crime.
The Minister of State for Crime and Policing also agreed that the rise in local police numbers is cause for South Yorkshire Police to review their property strategy to ensure all areas of the community are provided proper protection and support. He emphasised that the decision is down to the Chief Constable in conjunction with the local Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
Alexander has previously in Parliament called on the South Yorkshire PPC, Alan Billings, to back his campaign to reopen a police base in Dinnington.
The Prime Minister also voiced his support for the reopening of a police base in Dinnington during Prime Minister’s Question Time on Wednesday January 20th.
Commenting, Alexander Stafford MP said:
“Keeping my constituents safe is my top priority and I am thankful to the Minister for his response in agreeing with me that South Yorkshire Police should now review their property strategy to ensure all parts of our community are provided proper protection and support.
“Residents have been let down by not having a police base on Dinnington High Street and not having an open desk at Maltby. I am calling on the Police and Crime Commissioner to use his powers to make these changes.”
