Sheffield MP Clive Betts bids to reassure community shocked by Christmas day shooting
A Sheffield MP is seeking to reassure his constituents after a Christmas Day shooting left their neighbourhood in shock.
Clive Betts, who represents Sheffield South East, spoke out after a 20-year-old man was left fighting for life after being shot in his chest on Thursday, December 25.
Just before 11.30pm, police officers rushed to Wilfred Drive, Darnall, following reports of a firearms discharge.
The victim found injured at the scene was rushed to hospital and remains in a critical condition.
The incident - and a number of other shootings across the city over recent months - has raised concerns, however Mr Betts is seeking to reassure his constituents.
“The general public has nothing to particularly fear,” he told The Star.
“Firearms crime hasn’t risen in the last year - you have to be careful with the figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported a general decline in firearm offences over the past two decades.
The latest figures shared by the government agency - which were released in September and cover the 12 months prior to March 2025 - show a 22 per cent decrease in offences nationally where firearms were reported to have been used as a principal weapon.
In that timespan, there were 7,094 incidents across England and Wales, a significant decline compared to the 9,122 recorded between April 2023 and March 2024.
Two decades ago, in 2005, there were 22,893 incidents involving firearms recorded nationally.
Locally, 164 firearm offences - excluding air weapons - were recorded in the year leading to March 2025, matching national trends, with the figure dropping by around half compared to the 309 between April 2023 and March 2024.
Kilvinder Vigurs, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime for South Yorkshire, said on December 19 that ‘gun crime is not out of control’, adding: “Violent crime has no place in South Yorkshire. Every person deserves to feel safe, and tackling the harm caused by guns and knives remains a priority.”
Labour MP Clive Betts said that while ‘high profile cases’ can raise concerns they don’t necessarily represent the true picture.
He went on to explain that he liaises with and helps police where appropriate, however doesn’t want to make these crimes political, and said he would only use his office to take matters to parliament when appropriate.
“I want to say to the community as well, if you have got any information give the police a call,” he added.
The investigation into the Darnall shooting continues.
Four men, aged 20, 22, 28 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and bailed after police questioning.
Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 732 of December 25, 2025.
Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111.