Seven Sheffield campaigners have been awarded more than £3,000 each in damages by South Yorkshire Police after an independent watchdog ruled they were wrongfully arrested during a tree-felling protest. The Independent Office for Police Conduct found South Yorkshire Police had no grounds to make the arrest. The seven were arrested and charged between November 2016 and February 2017. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield Council has called on the government to take urgent action to assist local pharmacies follows news that Lloyds Pharmacy will close their branch at Sainsbury’s Crystal Peaks store. The closure will mean, three pharmacies have shutdown in Sheffield in the last twelve months with closures already of Day Lewis Pharmacy, Crookesmoor and Bradway Pharmacy. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Councillor Chris Peace, cabinet member for health and social care.
Sheffield Council has joined with six other local authorities to launch a legal action against Barclays over high cost private sector loans, known as LOBOs, which they claim were mis-sold. The councils argue that Barclays manipulated the interest rates on the Lender Option Borrower Option products, which are typically sold as long term finance with financial penalties for early exit. According to campaign group Debt Resistance UK, Sheffield has borrowed over £300m in LOBO loans with Barclays and other providers on repayment terms ranging over 35 to 70 years. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A new public defibrillator has been installed in the Olive Grove area of Sheffield after a fundraising campaign led by highways supervisor Carl Padgett who became inspired after attending a first aid course. Councillors and local community members welcomed the new life saving device to respond to incidences of cardiac arrest. Padgett told Sheffield Live! that more are needed and awareness should be improved. Azz Mohammed reports.
Hundreds of people from Sheffield’s Sudanese community took part in a march and rally at the weekend in solidarity with protests in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan against Omar al-Bashir’s government. The Sheffield protest was one of many across the UK aiming to raise awareness of conditions in Sudan and calling for a change of government after 30 years rule by the incumbent president. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson joined athletes at a launch event for the UK Invictus Games Trials which are set to take place in Sheffield in July. The UK event, a preparation for the international Invictus Games 2019 to be held in The Hague later in the year, will be the first ever national games for Biritish wounded, injured and sick armed services personnel and veterans. The trials will involve up to 500 athletes using the power of sport, teamwork and competition to accelerate their recovery including athletics, wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, swimming and sitting volleyball. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Charlotte Mead, leader of the Sheffield Women’s Equality Party, has welcomed a new law to criminalise upskirting in England and Wales. Under the new law offenders could be penalised with up to two years imprisonment for taking a photograph underneath a person’s skirt without their consent. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Dozens of athletes were in Sheffield at the weekend in training for the Special Olympics World Games 2019 to be held in Abu Dhabi in March. More than 7,000 athletes from over 170 countries will be competing, with Special Olympics GB hoping for a haul of medals. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to athlete Alexander Davies and coach Steve McFadyen.
A new Sheffield-based charity aiming to get vulnerable young people into work is set to launch in February after a pilot scheme supported by local businesses and volunteers. Grow UK aims to nurture skills to support vulnerable young adults to succeed in the workplace through a programme of coaching, one-to-one support and practical work experience. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Pro-European campaigners demonstrate at Sheffield Town Hall as MPs vote to reject the Prime Minister’s Brexit withdrawal agreement. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Neil Schofield, chair of Sheffield for Europe.