£2.3million boost to create 62 new police posts

The new unit will ease the increasing workload in domestic abuse, sex offences and exploitation, child abuse and online protection.

The cash was agreed by police and crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings today following a review of South Yorkshire Police’s resources.

Dr Billings said: “It will provide additional investigators into all areas of public protection, including adding resilience to the central child exploitation team, increasing their capacity to deal with complex and serious investigations.

“This investment will strengthen the unit with specially trained staff and provide much needed funds to tackle the significant increase in reported crime in areas around violence towards vulnerable people in sexual assault, rape, stalking and harassment.

“It will also enhance and support the dedicated staff that South Yorkshire Police has working to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

The new posts include 19 support staff. Part of the unit will be based with partners involved in domestic abuse investigations.