Police chief praises officers for bank holiday efforts

POLICE and crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings has praised officers for stepping up to the mark after last week’s Manchester terrorist attack.

He said they have responded well to the increased demand on the security services after the country’s threat level was temporarily raised to critical.

Mr Billings said South Yorkshire Police had responded to the “extraordinary demands made on them over this bank holiday weekend”.

He added: “They have kept us safe at multiple venues and events, at times in sweltering conditions. Their presence in unprecedented numbers has been noticed and greatly appreciated.

“It is not easy to gauge when the deployment of armed officers reassures and when it frightens people, but this weekend I think South Yorkshire Police had the balance exactly right.”

Mr Billings said he particularly thanked Assistant Chief Constable David Hartley who has been gold commander over the weekend.

Mr Billings said: “It has been seamlessly managed.”