How city authorities are ‘improving’ notorious Sheffield neighbourhood

Fly-tipping, violence and crowds of people not adhering to social distancing guidelines are among the well-documented problems faced in Page Hall throughout lockdown, with community tensions running high as a result. The ongoing issue of littering and fly-tipping has resulted in rat infestations on some streets. Many people complaining have questioned what is being done to prevent and tackle crime and bring improvements to the area, which one nearby resident claimed “needs an enforcement blitz”.

Councillor Paul Wood, who represents Page Hall, said a “multi-agency approach” has “resulted in recent improvements.”

He said: “There is a lot of engagement from the local community and workshops held in July with agencies and community organisations were well attended.

"There are now some initial plans for the next development work that will take place. The main commitment is to continue to align services and provide a coordinated response to support the wider improvement of the area.”

Glen Morton, a clinical worker at the nearby Northern General Hospital, said some of his colleagues divert their route to avoid the “consistently problematic” neighbourhood.

He told The Star: "The whole area is absolutely shocking. I genuinely feel sorry for the decent residents and visitors”.

South Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings admitted he has “total sympathy with those long-standing members of this part of Sheffield who have legitimate grievances about the behaviour of some in their community.”

He said: “The responsibility for sorting out the many issues in Page Hall falls to many groups, including the owners of properties, and not just the local authority. The police will work with the local authority and local groups, such as the Firth Park Neighbourhood Network, to try to make progress.

“Some matters that directly concern the police have been made more difficult with the restrictions the coronavirus has created.”

He added: “Page Hall and the wider area consists of many tight-packed streets that are home to both settled and more transient people, including Roma-Slovak families.

“Some of the families in the area have been used to meeting and socialising outside, which was not allowed during the lockdown. This has created particular tensions”.

Dr Billings said the police will continue to ‘engage, educate and inform’ the Roma-Slovak community about lockdown restrictions, using fines as a “last resort”.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson insisted officers ‘work hard to detect and prevent anti-social behaviour and crime’ in the area following accusations they are not proactive enough.

They added: “The Sheffield North East Neighbourhood Team work closely with community representatives and networks and have developed positive relationships with such groups to better understand issues around anti-social behaviour which is often cited as a concern.

“All of our neighbourhood policing teams across the city are committed to carrying out positive engagement with residents and have continued to do so throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. As with any reports of crime, we continue to respond appropriately with the safety of the public being our priority.”