OPERATION Duxford which saw over 180 officers take part in a day of action yesterday has been hailed the most successful yet.

Teams from across South Yorkshire supported Barnsley colleagues in arresting 15 suspects by teatime for various offences.

The team, including those from the Operational Support Unit, descended on the district to execute warrants, carry out property checks and engage with different members of the community.

During seven search warrants, six people were arrested for various offences, including cannabis cultivation, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of offensive weapons. Over 160 cannabis plants and a large quantity of Class A drugs were also recovered.

Roads policing officers supporting the day made two arrests; a 20-year-old man on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed limit of drugs and a 25-year-old man on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article. They also issued 18 Traffic Offence Reports to drivers failing to wear a seatbelt, driving with no MOT, having an illegal level of window tint and for having no insurance.

Two vehicles were seized for having no insurance and three drivers were reported on summons to court for drugs and driving while disqualified.

Focusing on protecting vulnerable people in our communities, Barnsley Council staff visited 27 homes of those at risk of exploitation by criminals, where parents may need support in ensuring their children’s welfare or where tenants were not adhering to the council’s regulations.

Of those visited, two parents were given child protection notices for the living conditions within their homes and warning letters were issued to tenants who have failed to clean up their gardens and properties.

Other events across the borough included the council working with officers to carry out a waste carrier operation to ensure that those using vehicles to remove waste are compliant with legislation. Of 12 vehicles stopped, one was found to have no waste carrier licence and no MOT, which led to seizure of the vehicle, with another driver also arrested for possession of a controlled Class A drug.

Speed checks were conducted on 321 vehicles. Ten drivers failed to adhere to the speed limit and will receive speed enforcement letters.