Police step up patrols in Arbourthorne as probe into 'drive by' shooting of 12-year-old boy continues

The specialist team are being deployed to carry out ‘high-intensity activity’ and patrols following recent incidents in the area, including a shooting last weekend (January 12) which saw a 12-year-old boy seriously injured.

Firearms officers and dog handlers are also part of the taskforce who will be carrying out stop-searches, vehicle checks, foot and mobile patrols.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Forber said: “The Serious Violent Crime Taskforce are disrupting the activity of those involved with serious criminality, from drugs to weapons offences.

“We are committed to improving things in this part of the city, and extensive enforcement activity is a big part of that.

“Their work sends the message that this type of criminality will not be tolerated, and we will deal with those who are intent on causing misery for people just wanting to go about their daily lives.”

Yesterday (16 January) as part of their proactive patrols the taskforce arrested ten people in the Arbourthorne area for a range of offences including burglary, driving over the prescribed limit and possession of controlled drugs.

Officers on mobile patrols also stopped and searched 16 vehicles and carried out open land searches.

Sgt Ash Franklin said: “My officers are working hard to disrupt those criminals that blight this area of the city and to make the area safer for residents in the Arbourthorne and Manor areas of Sheffield.”

The Serious Violent Crime Taskforce is a dedicated team of officers who deploy high impact and highly visible policing tactics to target knife and gun crime hotspots with the overarching aim of reducing serious violent crime levels.

To report crime in your area call 101- please note in an emergency you should always dial 999.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555111 or submit information via their website at crimestoppers-uk.org.