Bomb disposal squads were called to properties in Sheffield and Chesterfield early Tuesday morning with four arrests made as police acted to foil an alleged terror plot. The raids took place in Burngreave, Meersbrook, Stocksbridge and on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A 15 year old boy has been arrested by South Yorkshire Police after Sheffield’s Birley Academy was evacuated in response to a bomb threat that proved to be a hoax call. Police were called to the school on Monday morning following reports that the school had received a bomb threat. As a precautionary measure, the college chose to evacuate students and worked with police while the area was searched. Chief Superintendent Natalie Shaw said: “After a prolonged search of Birley Academy, a device has not been found. Hoax calls are malicious and irresponsible, they can cause a considerable deal of distress. Anyone found to have committed this offence could face a prison sentence.” Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
South Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after seven people were stabbed in separate incidents on Saturday and Sunday in Sheffield city centre. Two men have been charged in connection with altercations on Carver Street and Division Street in which five people were injured in the early hours of Saturday morning. At around 2.20am on Sunday, officers attended and secured a scene at the Area bar on Burgess Street where two men had been stabbed in what the police believe to be an unrelated incident. A closure notice has been served on the Area bar which the police are seeking to extend at the magistrates court. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Despite a dedicated team of five police officers posted in Burngreave to tackle crime and gang issues after two stabbings and a shooting, local businesses are still concerned. Yousouf Adams who owns Suda Tech on Spital Street, told Sheffield Live! that local businesses would like to see officers present in the evening as most trouble starts when the police are gone. The street violence has involved confrontation between rival gangs from the Kurdish and Somali communities. Police have been given new powers to stop and search suspects and to patrol the area to re-assure residents. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Additional police officers have been deployed in Burngreave following a shooting incident in which a man was wounded. The altercation between rival gangs, thought by police to be individuals of Kurdish and Somalian origin, took place just two days after a 17 year old was stabbed in the same area. Emergency services were called on Wednesday and a man was taken hospital with suspected gunshot wounds, said to be not life theatening. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Muslim community leaders have welcomed news that South Yorkshire Police will step up patrols around the city’s mosques in the wake of the weekend terror attack in London. Police have vowed to enhance their presence at mosques as the holy month of Ramadan enters its final week. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live! from the Madina Mosque in Nether Edge.
The Broomhall Together day for local residents included activities, advice and dialogue with police, emergency services, Sheffield Council and community groups. The event brought together residents and public agencies to talk about issues and problems in the community, services available and how to tackle crime and improve safety in the neighbourhood. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A survey commissioned by the Crime Commissioner has revealed a lack of confidence in South Yorkshire Police and the policing of local communities. Out of 736 people who completed the survey, 357 reported a lack of confidence in the force as a whole and 350 said they lacked confidence in local policing. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings.
Newly appointed assistant chief constable for South Yorkshire Police, David Hartley, plans to cut gang crime and strengthen neighbourhood policing. In an interview with Sheffield Live! Hartley outlined a new strategy for neighbourhoods, with more officers on the beat, better use of technology and restructuring of the force. Simon Thake reports.
South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union have teamed up to tackle hate crime in the city. Students and university staff are often reluctant to call in the police when confronted with hate crime. Hallam Union is working with the police to tackle these issues and to help police to communicate with students and staff where necessary. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!