Sheffield city centre flats near recently closed Curzon cinema raided as vandals cause damage and flooding
The burglars also made off with a number of televisions
An overnight raid of a block of flats is understood to have led to the flooding of nearby shops as burglars caused damage to internal pipes.
The burglary is reported to have taken place on the night of Friday, July 3 with those responsible targeting flats on George Street, by the recently closed Curzon Cinema.
Police have said that at least 15 unoccupied flats where hit during the raid, causing damage to the building including what has been described as ‘intentional’ water damage.
The Star understands this damage caused the flooding of the neighbouring HMV store on High Street, which was closed on Saturday morning (July 4).
A number of televisions have also been reported stolen from the flat block.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 8am on Saturday (4 July) we were called to reports of an overnight burglary at a block of flats in George Street, Sheffield.
“At least 15 unoccupied flats are reported to have been targeted, with damage caused to furniture and fixings. Water damage has also been reported in some of the flats and is believed to have been caused intentionally.
“A number of televisions have also been reported stolen from the building.
“An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is being asked to call 101 or report online, quoting incident number 247 of July 4, 2026.”
The Curzon cinema, on George Street, permanently closed on June 29, with declining admissions being cited as the main cause.
“Above all, we’re so grateful to you, our visitors, for all your support over the years,” a spokesperson said.
However, readers have shared their experience with anti-social behaviour in the area, with one person describing it as a “no-go zone” at night.
Shirley Shutt wrote: “I stopped visiting the cinema in the evening as I didn't feel safe and then the daytime showings became less attractive due to the begging and drug dealing under the bridge.
“The quiet corners were obviously being used as toilets. The Central Health Clinic used to have an open door but is now only accessible via the intercom.
“I saw a consultant there who had to shut the window due to the strong smell of marijuana coming in from the street. He said it was a regular problem.”
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On the streets in the city centre, people shared similar experiences, with one person calling it a “scruffy hole” while another describing it as a “glorified alleyway.”
“I’ve worked here 11 years and it’s got worse and worse,” a passer-by told The Star.
“They’re not doing anything with the buildings and they’re slowly shutting everything down.
“This is the worst - we’ve found human excrement on the pavements basically, so it’s not good.”