Fury as HUNDREDS of laughing gas canisters left strewn across Sheffield street

Michael Lenz, who lives in the S2 area, says the amount of rubbish currently being left on South Street and the Sheaf Valley Park amphitheatre is making the area ‘horrible’.

He has now written to his local MP Paul Blomfield to complain about the mess and has encouraged others in the area to contact their representatives and the local police.

Mr Lenz said the gas canisters, takeaway food and packaging, bottles and even sharps were now reaching ‘dangerous’ levels.

He said: “The council have created a public space and therefore encourage people to visit but are being negligent in maintaining this understandably popular viewing area.

“In fairness to those gathering the bins that are there are wholly unsuitable for the capacity of this public space. Some people at the top certainly do try and use the bins - but it takes no time for them to overflow again.

“The cars parked further down South Street are less conscientious and think nothing of tipping out their rubbish.”

Mr Lenz said he believes the area needs a much higher policing presence, especially in the evening, and should be cleaned every day by the council.

“The site really needs to go on South Yorkshire Police’s beat,” he said.

“Their presence and visibility alone would discourage the drug dealing and anti-social behaviour which has been normalised on this street.

“Until behaviour changes the council need to clean this street every couple of days at least. The litter is feeding the vermin that are resident in Sheaf Valley Park.

“This site and the nature of it being a public space makes it a city-centre venue and needs to same support and attention as any other public space - for example, the Peace Gardens.”

The small metal canisters found on South Street and in many other neighbourhoods in the city are used to store nitrous oxide or ‘laughing gas’ in before being inhaled, usually via a balloon.

T / Superintendent Ian Proffitt, South Yorkshire Police’s force lead for drugs, said: “We are aware of reports of nitrous oxide gas canisters occasionally being found across South Yorkshire, typically in open spaces.

“As with any psychoactive substance, use of nitrous oxide can be unpredictable, dangerous and, in certain circumstances, fatal. It can lead to a loss of consciousness and a lack of oxygen reaching your brain. It can also make you very dizzy and impair your reactions and responses, which can increase your risk of injuring yourself and others.

“If you’re worried about your own or a friend’s nitrous oxide use, there is support and advice available. Talk To Frank has a confidential advice line on 0300 123 6600, as well as lots of information on their website – www.talktofrank.com.

“If you have information about individuals who may be supplying nitrous oxide canisters in your area, please call police on 101 or report this online. You can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously.”