Council promises to tackle arson problem

FIRE SCENE: Council promise to tackle road of concern

ROTHERHAM Council says it will take action after last week’s Advertiser disclosure about the number of arson attacks in Canklow.

The local authority, though, won’t go into detail about any plans they may have.

We revealed how Canklow Road was the worst street in the borough for fire-raising, with 100 attacks recorded there since July 2020.

That's more than anywhere across the border in Sheffield and 26 more than nearby Centenary Way, which is also having more than its share of problems.

Boston Castle ward councillor Taiba Yasseen said she'd not been told about the situation.

So we approached RMBC. Their spokesperson replied: “Following the release of the figures, we will be working with South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service around addressing the issues.

“Anti-social behaviour can be reported to the Council on 01709 823140. Emergencies and serious issues should be reported directly to the appropriate emergency service on 999 or to the Police on 101.”

Meanwhile, the latest general crime figures for Rotherham show a mixed picture.

The 878 offences committed in August in the southern policing district (which includes Dinnington, Thurcroft, Catcliffe, Swallownest, Brinsworth and Maltby) represented the highest number since May. Violence, sexual crimes and anti-social behaviour were up.

However in the central patch (including the town centre, Herringthorpe, Clifton, Whiston and Canklow) it was a different picture. Their 969 incidents were the lowest since February.

The Bridgegate area accounted for 30 of those offences.

Rotherham North (which includes Wath Upon Dearne, Rawmarsh, Parkgate and Swinton) was slightly down in crime, although shoplifting in Broad Street area of Parkgate is still a concern.