Police chief bids to reassure residents after Maltby attacks

Residents expressed concern on social media after the following attacks:

q On October 1, 80-year-old Tommy Ward was found injured at his home in Salisbury Road, Maltby. He was taken to hospital to be treated and he remains in a serious condition.

Two 19-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and burglary. They remain on police bail as enquiries continue. Officers continue to appeal for information.

q On October 28, a 25-year-old woman reported being raped at a property in the Grange Lane area.

Two men wearing masks entered the property and are believed to have threatened the woman with a knife before one of the men carried out a serious sexual assault. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

q On October 30, a 38-year-old man was found injured in his home in Littlehey Close. He was taken to hospital but sadly died on Wednesday 4 November.

A murder investigation was launched and a 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

He remains in police custody today being questioned by officers.

A spokeswoman said the investigation, which is in its early stages, is pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and investigative opportunities and officers were keen to hear from anyone that may hold information about the incident.

Chief Supt Jason Harwin, Rotherham’s Local Policing Unit Commander, (pictured) said: “Each of these incidents is a major crime and significant resources are dedicated to investigating each and every line of inquiry that comes in.

“We understand that the local community and wider public in Rotherham are concerned about the severity of these crimes and I can assure you that we are working round the clock to progress each investigation.

“We’re aware that there is some speculation that these incidents might be linked and I’d like to stress that at no time have we received any information to suggest that this might be the case.

“The similarities between the incidents — the violent nature of the crimes and that each victim was inside a property — is not lost on our officers and we know that this makes residents feel scared and vulnerable.

“This is why we have increased our visibility in the area and extended patrols well into the evening to provide some reassurance to the community.

"We're also aware that there is some frustration over a perceived lack of information shared with the public and I’d like to address this.

“Because of the nature of criminal investigation, we can't share certain details with the public because to do so would compromise our investigations.

“While this might be frustrating at times, please understand that we do try to share as much information as we can, when we can, but I hope that you can appreciate that our priority must be to identify and apprehend those responsible for these awful crimes.”

Maltby councillors Chris Beaumont, Maggie Godfrey and Amy Rushforth said: “We understand and share the concerns of Maltby residents following the recent serious incidents in our town.

“Councillors will be meeting with South Yorkshire Police to discuss the incidents whilst the investigations continue.”

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