Wombwell Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) working in conjunction with their partners, carried out a three day operation designed to ensure that the welfare of local youngsters in the area is maintained and that vulnerable individuals are given the support and guidance they need.

Operation Stay Safe which ran between 6.30pm-2am from Friday 19-Sunday 21 March, was a funded by the Home Office and brought together the Youth Offending Team, police specials, officers, PCSOs and Social Services.

The objective was to engage with local youngsters and identify any which were at risk, either from alcohol, drugs, neglect and another circumstance which may cause concern. Wombwell SNT and partners spent the duration of the operation carrying out high visibility patrols covering the entire Wombwell SNT area, speaking to all children the came across, including those in large groups, to make sure they were not taking part in any antisocial behaviour, illegal activity or were in environments which could of caused them harm.

38 children were spoken to during the operation and a number of searches were carried out.

Acting Police Inspector Stuart Leadbeater said: “Wombwell SNT was pleased to find that no drugs and only a small amount of alcohol was seized from certain individuals. There were no issues to cause concern for the police or social services. It was great to see that the majority of the youngsters were well behaved and were not partaking in activities which could have put themselves at risk. This type of operation will be repeated again in the future to maintain the safety of young people in our community.”