Sheffielders expressed sadness and solidarity with victims of the terror attack that took place at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand leaving 49 people confirmed dead and over 20 injured. The gunman live-streamed the attack on social media leaving tech companies struggling to catch-up as the video went viral. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to community leaders at Sheffield’s Madina Mosque and to others who came to show their solidarity.
South Yorkshire Police are set to share with other police forces across the country an additional £100m of government funding to help deal with the surge in knife crime. The cash is to be used for police overtime and to fund new ‘Violent Crime Reduction Units’. South Yorkshire Police have been running a campaign this week to raise awareness about knife crime and to reduce the numbe of weapons on the streets. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to detective superintendent Una Jennings.
Members of Parliament, including all of Sheffield’s MPs, have voted to reject a no deal Brexit, following the second defeat of the Prime Minister’s withdrawal plans. Speaking to Sheffield Live! earlier this week, Sheffield Central MP and Shadow Brexit Minister, Paul Blomfield, said: “the negotiations have been handled catastrophically by the government”. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Among events taking place across the city to mark International Women’s was a charity fundraiser in Nether Edge in support of victims of domestic abuse. Bailor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation has launched in Sheffield a course for women community leaders on peace building, conflict resolution and countering violent extremism. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Funding cuts have put the future of the groundbreaking U-Mix youth and community centre in doubt as talks between Sheffield Council and the charity Football Unites Racism Divides reach a critical stage. The £2.5m centre was opened in 2013, in Lowfield, under the management of FURD, and with grants from the Football Foundation and the government’s My Place initiative through the Big Lottery Fund. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to FURD co-founder and charity trustee Howard Holmes.
Sheffield has been awarded £715,000 by the Department of Education to train a new generation of young people to fill skills shortages in the construction industry. The grant, from the Construction Skills Fund, will enable Sheffield Council to create a local training hub, called the Building Block, which will open later this month and aims to train up to 650 young people for an expected 250 local jobs created by 2020. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The government has rejected a proposal from the Bishop of Sheffield, Right Rev Dr Pete Wilcox, to set up an independent panel to review documents relating to the Battle of Orgreave. Baillor Jallor reports for Sheffield Live!
The Rab Climbing Works International Festival returned to Sheffield at the weekend with more than 400 competitors taking part in the two day event. Many are hoping to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where sport climbing will make its debut. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A new local campaign group have launched a call to end the roll out of Universal Credit with a demonstration held outside the Department for Work and Pensions headquarters in Sheffield. Campaigners from Sheffield Stop and Scrap Universal Credit argue that the new benefit arrangements are leaving some people as much as £50 per week worse off. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to the campaign’s acting chair Martin Mayer.