Fears for children's safety after gunshot incidents

PEOPLE living on a street where a gunshot was fired through the window of a house say they fear for their children's safety.

A gun was fired through the window of a terraced house on Victoria Road, Mexborough, at around 9pm last night (Thursday).

A number of people on the street said they thought the gunshots were fireworks being let off.

The inicdent happened just a day after a gun was fired on Frederick Street in the town.

One woman, who lives on Victoria Road and asked not to be named, said: "I’ve lived here for one-and-a-half years and this is the first shooting that has happened here.”

She said that the safety of her children was now her main concern after the incident.

She said: “They will not be going out on their own until they are 12-years-old now.”

Dean White, who also lives on the street, said: “We heard shots and we just thought it was fireworks.

“It was a bit of a shock.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said there had been some trouble on the street since the family had moved into the house which was targeted in the attack.

Earlier today, Detective Inspector Mark Monteiro from South Yorkshire Police said: “I understand that this will be extremely concerning for members of the Mexborough community as well as the wider general public.

“At this stage, we cannot say whether the two incidents are linked, however it does appear that they were both targeted and that there is no wider threat to the community.

“Enquiries are ongoing and, in the meantime, there will be a high number of uniformed officers in the area as well as increased patrols.

“Residents can be reassured that we have got a number of resources in place to bring those responsible to justice.

“I would appeal for anyone with information about either incident to contact 101.”

Anyone with information about the Victoria Road incident should contact 101 quoting incident 1063 of January 21.

People can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or email [email protected].