Fresh crackdown on robberies to identify key offenders and hotspots in town centre

POLICE are cracking down on this week against robbery and theft with a week-long campaign across South Yorkshire.

Operation Calibre launched on Saturday as officers aim to identify key offenders and hot spots in the county.

The operation, under which British Transport Police are teaming up with SYP, sees increased patrols in the hope of targeting habitual offenders by taking them off the street, as well as undertaking additional engagement opportunities with the public, officers said.

Mounted officers will be in Rotherham town centre on Friday, along with officers on high-visibility foot patrols.

Supt Jamie Henderson said: “I know the devastating impacts robbery can have and I want people to be reassured that we are striving to keep the people of South Yorkshire safe.

“As we approach Christmas and the towns and cities become busier, we have been working to identify areas that see higher numbers of robberies, deter people from committing them, and apprehend those who do.

“We understand that these incidents happen all year round, and it remains a priority to the force to crack down and identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“We will have officers deployed across the county and there will be engagement as well as working with partners offering advice and guidance on protecting yourself while you’re out and about especially during these darker nights and Christmas shopping.”