Police issue message on Sheffield shootings after man charged with drug offences

Four men were shot, two cars were damaged and two house windows were fired at in a series of ‘targeted attacks’ in Burngreave, Sharrow and Nether Edge on Friday, May 8.

A gun has since been recovered and a 20-year-old man has been charged with drug offences after a warrant was executed at a property in Rotherham as part of the investigation into the shooting in Nether Edge.

South Yorkshire Police say they have now stepped up patrols in the three suburbs to reassure residents as enquiries continue.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Henderson said: “I’d like to offer some reassurances to anybody living in Sharrow, Nether Edge, or Burngreave. Thankfully we’ve not seen anyone seriously injured as a result of what has happened over the weekend but we’ve seen several very serious incidents that have played out on our streets.

“The incidents, in my belief, are targeted incidents. They involve people who are known to each other or are involved in organised criminality.”

Three men were wounded when a gun was fired towards them in Grimesthorpe Road, Burngreave, at around midnight on Friday, and just two hours later, a 53-year-old man was shot in Club Garden Road, in Sharrow.

Just before 7pm, two rival groups opened fire at each other in Machon Bank, Nether Edge, and at 7.30pm a house window was shot in nearby Union Street.

DCI Henderson said: “We’ve got a dedicated team of specialist detectives that are carrying out investigations into all of these incidents but I really want to reassure people living in those communities that might be worried about these incidents that the investigations are progressing quickly.

“We’re actively pursuing a number of other lines of enquiry and we’ve got extensive resources into the investigation.

“We’ve deployed a significant number of officers onto patrols. They’re there now and will be for the foreseeable future – not just at set times it will be 24 hours a day, residents will see a full increase in police in those areas.

“Don’t be concerned this is part of our investigation. We’ve got our Serious Violent Crime Taskforce down there, they’ll be carrying out patrols as will be traffic, firearms, mounted, motorbikes and lots of other police staff.”

The neighbourhood policing team will also be attending community meetings to listen to any concerns that residents may have.

“There’s lots of lines of enquiry that we’re pursuing,” DCI Henderson added. “I’d also like to appeal to those people involved and their friends and family. This type of crime doesn’t pay. Using a gun destroys lives and people get hurt.

“If people are out there that know people that are carrying weapons, using them, or know where firearms might be stored, then please get in touch and we can work on developing that intelligence and taking some action.”

Witnesses or anyone with information about any of the incidents are urged to call police on 101 and quote incident number 822.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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