Like most public services, the police and council don’t have resources to waste, so they need our cooperation”

Our special series of reports highlight the very real issues plaguing residents in Dinnington.

In short, with anti-social behaviour seemingly becoming a nightly occurrence, and the dark evenings drawing in, people and business-owners are understandably beginning to feel under siege.

With incidents of disorder and anti-social behaviour seemingly becoming a nightly occurrence, and the dark evenings drawing in, people and business-owners in Dinnington are understandably beginning to feel under siege | 3rd party

placeholder image — With incidents of disorder and anti-social behaviour seemingly becoming a nightly occurrence, and the dark evenings drawing in, people and business-owners in Dinnington are understandably beginning to feel under siege | 3rd party

At a public meeting held this week, one resident described feeling that the only way the issue will be taken seriously enough is if a fatality occurs.

That is a dire state of affairs. It’s honestly gobsmacking that it’s come to this, and I can only imagine how terrified people must be.

But on the other hand, councillors and SYMCA (South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority) deputy mayor Kilvinder Vigurs both say it’s clear the issues blighting so many are being under reported, if at all.

It may be a sign people have lost faith in the police and other agencies to take action.

While that’s an understandable reaction in the circumstances, police and others cannot be expected to attend incidents they are not alerted to.

And if those incidents are not reported or recorded, it masks the true extent of the problem.

It also potentially means that the evidential basis for allocating more resources to Dinnington simply isn’t there - despite what so many are seeing unfolding.

Letter from the editor: Something needs to be done about Dinnington | Iconic Media

That’s why every single one of us has a responsibility to record and report every single instance of anti-social behaviour that takes place.

We need to be working with the police, with the council, to give them all of the information they need to take action.

Like most public services, the police and council don’t have resources to waste, so they need our cooperation.

And I know going to police, or “grassing,” doesn’t come naturally to most people - especially when those responsible for causing the disorder are likely to be neighbours.

But the extent of anti-social behaviour in Dinnington now means it is simply not enough to be passive about the problem, or to complain, without doing your part.

You don’t even need to speak to police directly, you can pass on information completely anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Please do what you can. And I want to assure you that if the community steps up, and they still fail to act, we’ll be the first in line to demand more.