Sheffield suburb compared to 'earthquake aftermath' with gangs, flytipping and loud music causing residents stress

Nasar Raoof, the vice-chairman of Firth Park Neighbourhood Network, has called for South Yorkshire Police to have more powers to fine people there for perpetual anti-social behaviour and street fights.

Over the last few months, there have been countless reports of street fights and large groups of people gathering and ignoring social distancing guidance in the area.

Drug dealing, gang activity, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and brawls are plaguing Page Hall and giving residents sleepless nights, said Mr Raoof.

"Words can't capture how really bad it is”, he added.

"It's like the aftermath of an earthquake when you see the scenes in other countries and you see everything broken and people relying on others.

"People are having sleepless nights because they are worried about how things are going to improve.

"There's loud music blasting off until two or three o'clock in the mornings.

"You've got anti-social behaviour, people hanging about on street corners until the early hours of the morning.

"You've got massive brawls that are happening on a daily basis as well that is causing pain and upset to residents.

"Gangs are going around and intimidating people.”

While South Yorkshire Police have introduced an enhanced policing plan and stepped up patrols in the area, following footage of groups of men charging at each other with golf clubs on Thursday, August 20, Mr Raoof said residents don’t feel comfortable reporting crimes because of intimidation.

He continued: "If someone has an issue with the way a certain family is acting and they make their grievances known to them then they find 15 or 20 people are showing up outside their house.

"Our members don't have the confidence with the police and the council at the minute.

"They don't want to talk to people because we've not got anywhere in almost 10 or 12 years of dealing with this problem now.

"We haven't reached rock bottom yet. This is getting worse and worse day by day.”

Council street wardens patrol the streets in Page Hall seven days a week and noise equipment was seized from a home in the area last week, after a warrant found they were producing excessive noise.

Mr Raoof claimed one resident was suicidal because excessive noise and rubbish is fly-tipped outside her house every day.

"She always goes on about how there is no one left to talk to, no one to listen,” he said.

"These people are shouting to four or five o'clock in the morning and every time she puts her head on the pillow, she describes it as feeling like somebody is dragging her head through broken glass.

"I think it comes down to the fact we live in a BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) area and the majority of us are from BAME backgrounds.”

The vice chair fears community problems are escalating in Page Hall because not enough resources are being used.

He said: "If this was an area called Dore or Totley or Ecclesall then we wouldn't have these problems, we'd have councillors onto it and the authorities doing something about it to get the issue in control.

"It has been a problem for 10 years and we feel like we have been left high and dry because these organisations don't give us the right resources and we are from different areas.”

Streets Ahead and Veolia have deployed additional visits to clear waste, flytipping and rubbish left on the streets, according to the council.

Councillor Paul Wood, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “Over recent years we have worked hard with Page Hall residents, community groups and our partners to bring cohesion and a strong sense of community in to the area.

"Through our engagement work, including the well-attended community workshops that took place in July, and the presence of our street wardens, we have made a lot of progress which has been recognised within the community.

"This has helped us to agree some initial plans for upcoming development work, which includes aligning our services so that we can provide a coordinated response to support the wider improvement of the area.

"We know that tensions have been high recently and that some isolated incidents have caused concern amongst residents.

"We understand that some of these issues are longstanding, but we must also acknowledge the strain that Covid-19 has put on us all, how it has affected people individually and how it has impacted some of our local areas.

"We have dedicated an unprecedented level of resource and support into Page Hall and continue to use a multi-agency approach to tackle whatever issues are affecting people living in the area.

"We welcome their views and input in identifying solutions and building on the progress made, to ensure Page Hall is a thriving and united community.”

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police commented: “The Government recommend that when socialising with those outside their household, people should observe social distancing of at least two metres.

“This recommendation is guidance and is not enforceable as law.

"Our officers will however, always advise people to adhere to social distancing and other related guidance in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and keep people safe.

"Our officers are deployed across the city on a daily basis to respond to reports of disturbances and fights in public places.

"Where appropriate and necessary, enforcement action will be taken to protect the public.”

Page Hall in ‘CHAOS’: Groups charge at each other with golf clubs as shocked kids watch

Police appeal for mobile phone footage after Page Hall fight where men charged at each other with golf clubs

Shocking moment crowds gather as two women brawl in ANOTHER Page Hall street fight

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