'Crime has become the norm in our community'

A meeting about anti-social behaviour and crime in four Sheffield neighbourhoods has heard that offences like shoplifting have become "the norm".

South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council representatives invited residents of Woodhouse, Birley, Beighton and Mosborough to discuss their concerns.

They heard accounts of shoplifters openly selling stolen goods in premises such as nail bars and parks becoming no-go zones because of drug dealing.

Those attending the meeting called for a stronger police presence and were told that the force would "proactively respond" to the issues raised.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the South East Local Area Committee heard about problems on Woodhouse Market Square, where items stolen from shops were being sold on "immediately" to passers-by. In one instance, customers inside a nail salon were offered butter to buy.

When the BBC visited Woodhouse, one woman said youths on e-bikes and scooters were "not scared of anybody" and regularly vandalised cars.

Insp Katie Hammond of the neighbourhood policing team covering the south-east of the city said: "Everything raised at the meeting has been taken on board by me and my team, and plans are being put in place to proactively respond to some of the issues brought to our attention.

"Over the coming days, officers will be patrolling areas of concern and we'll also be visiting some of the businesses referenced at the meeting to provide reassurance and offer crime prevention advice.

"We are stronger with the public's help."

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