Dr Billings joined South Yorkshire Police’s Barnsley Central Neighbourhood Policing Team at the opening of the new public square at the Glassworks shopping and leisure precinct to help provide a “safe environment” for the public.

Officers from the Neighbourhood Team were assisted by Constables from the South Yorkshire Police Special Constabulary as they took part in the event aimed at showcasing the new facilities and what the town has to offer to residents and visitors.

The Police and Crime Commissioner attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Barnsley Central MP and Mayor of Sheffield City Region Dan Jarvis, the Mayor of Barnsley Councillor Caroline Makinson and Barnsley District Commander Chief Supt James Abdy.

While the speeches were made and the ceremony carried out, officers mingled with the crowds and spoke to residents about any issues that concerned them across the town as the first retail units in The Glassworks also opened their doors to the public.