Tackling gun crime a 'priority' for police in Sheffield following death of Khurm Javed

Sheffield’s District Commander, Temporary Chief Superintendent Shelley Hemsley, stressed the importance placed upon gun crime after the murder of city solicitor Khurm Javed last weekend.

Mr Javed, a dad-of-two, was shot dead on Clough Road, near Bramall Lane, after a confrontation between ‘two parties’.

The 30-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two men, aged 21 and 23, were arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed after police questioning.

Chf Supt Hemsley said the shooting had ‘shocked’ the community and left some residents ‘fearful’ at the level of violence seen on the city’s streets.

But she stressed that tackling and preventing gun crime is a priority for city officers.

The police chief said: “I want to be clear that tackling gun crime is a priority for my teams here in Sheffield, significant work is taking place to deter, detect and disrupt criminals involved in this type of criminality.

“Our dedicated Armed Crime Team, formed last year, has had some significant successes including the seizure of 66 illegally held firearms in 2020.

“Operation Fortify, which unites the police and partner agencies, is also disrupting the work of organised crime groups, by gathering and sharing information about key locations and criminals.”

She added: “What is vital is that the community work with the police, that community leaders and representatives engage with us, talk to us and share information with us.

“By strengthening the networks that already exist, we will be able to take more preventative action and increase the opportunities we have to arrest and disrupt criminals.

“We have been working hard to develop these relationships and those efforts will continue.”

Police patrols have been stepped up in the wake of the attack.

Detectives want to hear from witnesses or any motorists with dashcams who were in the area on the night of the murder.

Anyone with information about the killing should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote incident 984 of April 10.

Crimestoppers can be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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