South Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime

11/09/2026

National Rural Crime Week

In our final video to round off , Deputy Mayor, Kilvinder Vigurs, takes a walk with farmer Joe Seels to discuss the impact of fly tipping on the rural community.

11/09/2026

Today is the last day of the and we would like to encourage rural communities to apply for Rural Crime Initiative funding to help protect homes, farms and businesses from crime and anti-social behaviour.

The scheme is a partnership between South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and South Yorkshire Police. Funding can support measures such as CCTV, security lighting, alarms, gates, fencing, property-marking kits and more.

With rural crime continuing to impact communities through theft, vandalism, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, this grant scheme offers practical support to help keep people, property and livelihoods safe.

Read more about it and find out how to apply here: https://www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/news/article/symca-help-in-fight-against-rural-crime

10/09/2026

National Rural Crime Action Week
Rural crime doesn't just affect farmers. It affects whole communities.

SYMCA has invested £443,000 in the South Yorkshire Rural Crime Initiative, helping rural residents and businesses access funding for practical security measures including CCTV, lighting, gates and alarms.
Watch farmer, Joe Seele share how the scheme is helping him to ensure his farm and livelihood are better protected after his successful application to the fund.

To find out more about the Rural Crime Initiative and how to apply visit the South Yorkshire Police website: www.southyorkshire.police.uk/police-forces/south-yorkshire-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/south-yorkshire-rural-crime-initiative

09/09/2026

National Rural Crime Action Week

Farmer Joeseels has added his support to and is encouraging rural communities to report crime.

08/09/2026

The Deputy Mayor took a walk with Barnsley based farmer, Joeseels, last week ahead of last week ahead of , where they spoke about the impact rural crime has on the farming community.

, where they spoke about the impact rural crime has on the farming community.

07/09/2026

NATIONAL RURAL CRIME ACTION WEEK 2026

Rural crime is serious, organised, and can have a devastating impact on livelihoods, businesses and communities.

This week, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kilvinder Vigurs, is joining partners across the country to raise awareness of the challenges facing our rural communities and to ensure their voices are heard as discussions on policing reform continue.

is an opportunity to highlight the realities of rural crime, share success stories, hear from victims, and work together on solutions that help keep rural communities safe.
Keep an eye on our channels throughout the week to find out more about the support available to farmers, landowners and rural communities, and the work being done locally to tackle rural crime.

02/09/2026

South Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Kilvinder Vigurs was out in the Crookes community in Sheffield this week to hear the views of shopkeepers in the district. Together with Insp Nikolaus Dodsworth of SYP she heard encouraging feedback about police efforts against anti-social behaviour, which had been reported on several occasions in the recent past. After a community meeting with locals earlier in the summer, and increased presence in the area, shopkeepers had no further issues to report.

28/08/2026

South Yorkshire Deputy Mayor, Kilvinder Vigurs has responded to the Government announcement about additional funding to tackle rough sleeping this winter.
South Yorkshire is set to receive an additional £9M over 3 years.
Read more here: https://www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/news/article/homelessness-funding
Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

26/08/2026

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime recently visited Unity Boxing Centre in Rotherham to see first-hand the impact the organisation is having on local communities.

Unity Boxing Centre is much more than a boxing gym. Through boxing, mentoring, wellbeing support and positive role models, the centre helps children, young people and adults build confidence, resilience and the skills they need to achieve their potential. Working closely with schools, SEND settings and young people facing additional challenges, the centre creates positive opportunities and supports people to make positive life choices.

During the visit, the Deputy Mayor heard directly from staff about the difference the centre is making across Rotherham. From improving physical and mental wellbeing to strengthening community connections, Unity Boxing Centre is helping to create safer, stronger and more inclusive communities.

The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit is proud to support this work through funding that helps provide positive opportunities for young people to thrive.

The visit highlighted the important role that community organisations like Unity Boxing Centre play in preventing violence through early intervention, engagement and support.

A huge thank you to everyone at Unity Boxing Centre for sharing their inspiring work and demonstrating the positive impact they are making every day.

25/08/2026

My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, friends and colleagues of PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.

Their loss is felt across the whole policing family 💙

The family of PC Tom Clough, one of our officers who was sadly killed in the collision on the A66 in the early hours of Saturday 22 August 2026, have paid the following tribute to him:

"He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason. Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.

"We as a family and Tom's partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community".