Alarming statistics: average of 30 violent or sexual crimes per day in Rotherham

Statistics for April showed the worst hit area, Rotherham Central policing district, suffered 358 such incidents.

That was followed closely by Rotherham North (321), with the South area appearing rather safer (233).

The highest number of these offences happened in the immediate vicinity of Baker Street, close to Rotherham Hospital — with 11 at that location.

Police say three of those cases are now awaiting court process, six remain under investigation and two have been classed as “unable to prosecute” — which can mean prosecution lawyers would consider there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

The second worst-hit patch was the area around Henry Street/Drummond Street in the town centre, which regularly crops up in police statistics.

Of the eight violent or sex crimes committed there, five remain under investigation but the other three have not led to a suspect heading towards the courts.

The third area red-flagged by the figures is Wharton Avenue, Swallownest.

There were five violent or sex offences there, only one of which is classified as still under investigation, and nobody has yet appeared in court, say SYP.

Overall across Rotherham, there were 912 such crimes across the borough in the 30 days of April.

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In the Central district — including the town centre, Kimberworth, Thorpe Hesley, Greasbrough, Eastwood, Clifton, East Dene, Herringthorpe, Whiston and Canklow — 72 of the 358 sex crimes or violent incidents which were recorded happened within half a mile of Wellgate.

As for retail crime, the Moorgate Road suburb, spotlighted by the Advertiser in a previous report, continues to show concerning shoplifting figures, as does Eldon Road, Eastwood.

Police said recently that one individual had been put in the dock for several of these thefts.

There were 1,020 crimes of all types committed in Central, the highest number since August last year.

In South — covering North and South Anston, Dinnington, Thurcroft, Catcliffe, Swallownest, Brinsworth, Maltby and Bramley — there were 776 incidents (233 involving sexual offences or violence) but the good news was that this police district was showing a downward trajectory in crime reports.

On the other hand, there was more anti-social behaviour there than in the other two policing districts.

In North — Wath, Rawmarsh, Parkgate, Wentworth, Thrybergh, Swinton, Brampton, Manvers — there were a total of 755 crimes, 321 of them involving sexual offences or violence.

Shoplifting, meanwhile, was a noticeable issue in Broad Street and at the Alexandra Centre in Parkgate.