'Plan to break up Sheffield ampitheatre anti-social behaviour has pushed nuisance makers into nearby streets'
“Any day after 5pm is the same, and in the summer it goes on all night”
A resident claims a plan to break up anti-social behaviour plaguing the road by Sheffields amphitheatre has just pushed troublemakers into surrounding streets instead.
The concerned woman said issues have escalated following efforts to stop cars parking on the corner of South Street and Shrewsbury Road overlooking the city’s amphitheatre in the Park Hill area of the city.
The site was barriered off in April 2026 in a bid to combat years of drug-taking, littering and nuisance linked to cars parking up at the popular city viewpoint, particularly at night.
However, the Barnes Court resident said this has driven the anti-social behaviour into surrounding streets and closer to homes.
She said: “We can’t even leave our windows open because of the stink of cannabis and the sound of swearing.
“The police say ‘it’s kids’ but these are boys aged 16 and 17 all the way up to 30 dealing drugs and doing balloons every day.
“Any day after 5pm is the same, and in the summer it goes on all night.
“They don’t know the consequences it will have on their families if they get themselves hurt, but here they are every day doing drugs.
“They’re terrorising the area.”
In April, Sheffield City Council announced it was set to run a consultation about the South Street closure for six months before deciding whether to make the closure permanent.
Campaigners hope to turn the site into ‘Skyeline Pocket Park’.
Local councillor Elle Dodd said: “We’re aware of the continued anti-social behaviour at South Street.
“It’s very disappointing that a small number of people in cars are making life difficult for the majority. At residents’ request we are trialling a closure of the road to prevent car based anti-social behaviour at the top of the steps.
“It has created a calm traffic-free area that residents are enjoying as a pocket park, with benches and wildflowers.
“But sadly the anti-social drivers are now parking illegally and occasionally blocking South Street.
“It’s not an easy problem to solve, working with residents and the police we’ve tried several different solutions over recent years.
“As Labour Councillors, we're committed to continuing to work with residents in an open and transparent way.
“We want to jointly come up with solutions that improve our neighbourhoods for all members of the community. A council consultation is live and we welcome all views and ideas."
Meanwhile, Councillor Ruth Abbey criticised the introduction of Public Spaces Protection Orders in April 2025.
She said: “The closure of the top of South Street has certainly been a highly visible change in the area. However, the anti-social behaviour at Barnes Court may also be a side effect of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which came into effect in Sheffield city centre in April 2025.
“Green councillors opposed the introduction of the PSPO, because it would push anti-social behaviour out of the city centre without addressing any of the root causes.
“Barnes Court is immediately outside the PSPO boundary, as is South Street: the PSPO boundary is at the top of the Steel Steps. Both of these areas continue to be affected by anti-social behaviour and drug-taking.
“We should be dealing with these problems and addressing their root causes.”