DEPUTY MAYOR JOINS SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE FOR FESTIVE PATROL AS WINTER OF ACTION CONTINUES
Published 30 December 2025 at 2:55pm
South Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kilvinder Vigurs, joined South Yorkshire Police officers on an evening patrol recently as part of the region’s ongoing Safer Streets Winter of Action.The Deputy Mayor accompanied officers through Sheffield city centre and the Christmas markets, as part of the police increased their visibility over the busy festive period. The patrol formed part of coordinated efforts across December and January to help residents, workers and visitors feel safe during one of the busiest times of the year.
The Winter of Action brings together South Yorkshire Police, local authorities, businesses, and community organisations in a joint push to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The campaign builds on the success of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, which saw thousands of hours of high-visibility patrols, targeted operations and community outreach delivered across South Yorkshire.
With darker nights, bustling high streets and a vibrant night-time economy, the festive season brings challenges that partners across the region are working collectively to address. This winter’s activity focuses on visible policing, crime prevention and community reassurance, with a particular emphasis on safety in town and city centres.
Throughout December and January, officers and local authority wardens will be working side-by-side to address retail crime, anti-social behaviour, street crime and issues linked to the night-time economy. This includes close coordination with CCTV control rooms, licensed premises, Trading Standards and outreach workers who support young people.
Measures include:
- Increased high‑visibility patrols and city/town centre wardens
- Support for personal safety initiatives such as taxi marshalling and Ask for Angela
- Targeted operations in hotspot areas
- Reassurance visits to businesses
- Environmental improvements including lighting and CCTV upgrades
- Youth outreach, support and signposting
- Environmental enforcement activity such as issuing Fixed Penalty Notices for littering and fly-tipping
A strong emphasis will also be placed on tackling alcohol‑related disorder and enhancing the safety of women and girls, particularly in the night-time economy.
The winter campaign is supported by the Home Office and funded through national hotspot policing resources as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. It aligns with the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which commits to strengthening community policing across the country.
Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kilvinder Vigurs, said: “The festive season should be a time of enjoyment for everyone. That’s why it was important for me to join officers on patrol and see and hear directly about the issues they face. The Winter of Action is about responding to concerns, increasing visibility, and working together to create welcoming, safer public spaces.”
“By coordinating efforts across policing, local authorities, and our many community partners, we are working to restore confidence in our town and city centres and ensure people feel protected and supported.”
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