South Yorkshire Police: 'Significant reductions' of firearms discharges in 2023
We've been speaking to the force about gun crime in Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley & Rotherham
South Yorkshire Police insist there's been some 'significant reductions' this year in the number of firearms discharges across Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley & Rotherham.
We've been speaking to the force on how they've been trying to disrupt & prevent gun crime within serious organised crime groups.
Detective Superintendent Jamie Henderson leads the team who're responsible for tackling gun crime locally:
“Viable firearms discharges peaked in 2020 which was the catalyst for the force forming its Armed Crime Team and dedicated operations around areas such as Abbeydale Road, where high volumes of discharges had taken place. In 2022, volumes of viable discharges had reduced by 35%. Although in recent weeks, the numbers of firearms discharges being reported have increased, year to date volumes are the joint lowest since 2019.
“The majority of these discharges are related to organised crime and/or drug supply. Many of the incidents appear to be motivated by organised crime groups and a desire to protect their criminal business interests and the related financial gain this brings. We often see firearms discharges take place in areas where nominals want to enforce drugs debts or dominate the drugs market in a certain area by putting fear into rivals or potential rivals. We also see discharges occur when individuals want to take revenge against others for acts against them and/or their reputation. This can lead a cycle in which certain individuals or organised crime groups repeatedly inflict harm on one and another.
“Thankfully, the majority of the firearms discharges that occur do not result in people being injured and are mostly incidents of damage to property. However, we treat all incidents involving firearms with the upmost seriousness. These activities cannot and will not be tolerated and we are taking a strong, coordinated approach to find those responsible and bring them to justice, with the ultimate aim of disrupting and preventing the activities of organised crime groups across South Yorkshire.
“In the last few weeks alone, teams have recovered in excess of 80 blank firing handguns that have either been illegally converted or were in the process of being converted into viable firearms. A number of individuals have been charged and are currently on remand in prison in connection to these investigations. Our commitment to tackling firearms criminality across the county does not stop here and those who are carrying firearms on our streets should know that we are coming after them.”
South Yorkshire Police tell us they've taken over 300 guns off the streets in the last six years.