Health workers given safety advice for working in Mexborough

Bosses at Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) said they are taking “safety precautions” after “issues with gangs in certain streets of Mexborough”.

Trust management have also advised staff to make sure they let them know where they are working at all times and to ensure their mobile phones are charged.

It comes after ten members of a gang - known as the Pitsmoor Shotta Boys - were jailed for more than 33 years in total.

Their offences included violent disorder, robbery, drug possession and witness intimidation.

A spokesman for RDaSH said: “The safety of our staff is paramount and where our staff work alone, they are fully aware of our Lone Working Policy and the steps they need to take to ensure their safety.

“Our staff are aware that there have been some issues with gangs in certain streets of Mexborough and, as a result, we are currently taking safety precautions in these areas. This, however, has not impacted on the service we deliver.

“Families usually visit our staff at the local children’s centre, and if there were any safety issues on a day when our staff were scheduled to carry out a home visit, we would either cancel the visit and rearrange the appointment or, if it was safe to do so, we would ask the family to meet us at a different location.”

The gang members’ convictions came after a targeted clampdown on gang-related criminality in the Schofield Street, Oliver Street and York Street areas of Mexborough, which Insp Richard Collingwood has identified as being the town’s problem areas for those sort of offences.

The clampdown also saw police arrest three on drug offences following raids of properties in the town in April and Doncaster Council install a new CCTV system on Schofield Street.

The RDaSH spokesman added: “The advice we give our staff, where ever they are working, is if they don’t feel comfortable at any time they need to go to a place where they feel safe - this could be their car or to head back to their base at work.

“Staff know that they should always follow simple steps for their safety, this includes ensuring their mobile phone is charged and that their manager knows their whereabouts at all times.

“If staff feel unsafe making visits to any property, we would always send them in pairs.

“The trust’s security officer regularly liaises with South Yorkshire Police to have all of the latest up-to-date information on any risks and to ensure the safety of our staff, patients and families in our care at all times.”

Supt Neil Thomas, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “We are aware of the ongoing issues in Mexborough and share the concerns that people living in the area may have. 

“We understand the effects instances of crime can have on local residents, and I would like to reassure them that we are continuing to work towards tackling crime in Mexborough.”