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Re-elected Police Commissioner supports inquiry into Orgreave

Dr Alan Billings has been re-elected to the post of South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner with more than 50% of the first preference votes on an increased turnout.

Speaking to Sheffield Live after the results were announced, the Police Commissioner pledged his support for an inquiry into Orgreave and confirmed South Yorkshire police would cooperate and open its archives. The Battle of Orgreave took place during the 1984 miners’ strike. Campaigners have drawn parallels with the police handling of the Hillsborough disaster.

Labour’s deputy leader seeks secure future for steel

Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, speaking at the Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough by-election count, said: “In Sheffield the debate about the future of British steel has seized all of our attention. Jeremy took a leadership position on that. Hopefully it will mean we can secure the future of that industry. It’s early days in Jeremy’s leadership but I hope we are showing there’s a different way to do politics.”

24 hour strike by Fire Brigade

Sheffield Fire Fighters joined thousands of others from around England on a march in London.  The demonstration was in protest against the retirement age of Fire Fighters being raised from 55 to 60 years of age and pension rights.

Film critic caught in camera theft

slamdunk-201214A local film critic has been fined after admitting to theft of cameras from Sheffield’s local TV channel, Sheffield Live.

Van Connor, whose real name is Sherief Fekry, aged 31, of Birdwood Road, Grimesthorpe, pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrates Court and was fined £83 and ordered to pay £85 costs.

The two cameras, together worth over £5,000, were taken from Sheffield Live TV during Fekry’s weekly film review radio programme, Slam Dunk Cinema. Sheffield Live recovered one of the cameras from eBay and the other was later found when police raided Fekry’s home.

Fekry has been a regular producer and presenter on Sheffield Live community radio since he launched his Slam Dunk Cinema programme in August 2011. He also writes film reviews, under the name Van Connor, for Exposed Magazine.

Steve Buckley, Chair of Sheffield Live TV, said: “We were shocked to find two of our cameras missing from our broadcast studios just ten weeks after launching Sheffield’s local TV channel and we have been determined to get to the bottom of it. Following a police investigation, we now know that Mr Fekry, who we had known as Van Connor, used his trusted access to our facilities to steal valuable broadcast equipment and to attempt to sell it on eBay. We are very grateful to South Yorkshire Police for their support and assistance.”

Sheffield Live confirmed that it has cancelled the Slam Dunk Cinema radio programme and Fekry is no longer involved with the channel.

Sheffield vigil to mark Paris atrocities

Je suis CharlieA service of commemoration, remembrance and solidarity is to be held on Sunday, 11 January, at 3pm, Barker’s Pool, Sheffield City Centre following the gun attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical newspaper and at a Jewish supermarket in Paris. The event is “to reflect on the lives of those killed and injured” and has been organised with the backing of Sheffield City Council.

According to the organisers: “The event will be a time for reflection, expression and prayer; we will be taking the opportunity to talk about the importance of free speech, respect, tolerance and support, and how these precious values hold our society together.”

The Lord Mayor is due to attend together with other speakers from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs and ideals.