‘Drug dealing, prostitution and grooming taking place in Page Hall’ warns community group

esidents appealed to the police to take a tougher stance on crime in Page Hall after weeks of bad news about the area, including violent incidents and serious breaches of coronavirus lockdown rules.

Firth Park Neighbourhood Network Committee said that they were prepared to protest in order to get the attention of the police, and arranged a meeting with senior police officers to tackle the issue.

Following that meeting, vice chair of the group Nasar Raoof has confirmed that police have committed to a number of measures to help reduce crime in the Page Hall area.

Mr Raoof said: “During the meeting issues from drug dealing in the area, prostitution and grooming, gangs and social gatherings, brawls and noise nuisance were raised.

“We have made it clear to the police that we as residents are needing urgently a tougher line in Page Hall when it comes to enforcement and need extra officers at the right time and location.

“FPNN will provide the local force in the next 72 hours with a detailed report alongside evidence of hotspots and concerns that have been raised from across the area and surrounding streets.

“This will be downloaded to the local intelligence for the area and patrols will follow this.

“We have had assurances that the patrols will target the intelligence we submit as a group. The police have made it clear they are “desperate” to make this work.

“The police have assured us that there will be more officers in Page Hall that will use facilities such as SYP Alerts.

“Residents are requested to subscribe to this service and in return if there is a live issue or concern the police at the time can pick this up.”

Mr Raoof also said that further updates would follow regarding policing of prostitution and drug dealing issues, and that these would be worked on together with the council.

He said that a meeting with Sheffield City Council was in the process of being organised.