Ridwan Jama: Man seen brandishing knife at people in Sheffield city centre caught and arrested within minutes
A 24-year-old man who threatened people with a knife in Sheffield city centre during a broad daylight incident was arrested within minutes of the first call to police.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson explained: “Ridwan Jama, of Clay Pit Way, Sheffield, was brandishing a knife on Commercial Street when we received the first call at 11.55am on Saturday (January 3, 2026).
“Further reports indicated he was heading in the direction of Ponds Forge, and officers were immediately deployed to the scene.
“By 12.14pm, he had been arrested and was on his way to custody.”
Jama, aged 24, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday (January 5, 2026) where he pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening a person with a blade/ sharply pointed article in a public place.
He was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on February 2.
Speaking after Jama’s court appearance, Inspector Andy Rimmer, of the city centre neighbourhood policing team, said: "We simply won’t tolerate knife crime on Sheffield's streets.
"Anyone carrying a knife immediately puts others and themselves in danger, and risks ruining their own future with a split-second decision.
"I'm pleased our officers’ good work and quick response over the weekend has led to swift justice against this callous offender."
If you're concerned that someone you know is carrying a knife, help and support on how to approach difficult conversations is available on the Knives Take Lives website: https://www.knivestakelives.co.uk/helpadvice.html
Knife surrender bins are located across South Yorkshire. You can find a list of locations here: https://www.knivestakelives.co.uk/KnifeBinlocations.html