Sheffield tenant calls for urgent talks on tower block safety following man's fall death
A Sheffield council tenant campaigning for better safety in high-rise blocks is again raising concerns following a man’s death last month.
Peter MacLoughlin has called for urgent action following the death of the man in a fall from Deer Park flats in Stannington on May 12. Police closed off Deer Park Close and Stannington Road during a “concern for safety” incident before the man’s death.
In line with its procedures, the force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of its previous contact with the man, who has not so far been named.
Mr MacLoughlin, a former council cabinet member for housing, has repeatedly raised safeguarding of vulnerable tenants following other deaths of people in falls from their flats in recent years.
His concerns have historically included window safety catches that can be overridden and the suitability of housing vulnerable people and families with young children at height.
He now wants to find out about police protocols as he says officers increasingly have to enter blocks to deal with many different types of incidents.
Risks
He is pressing Sheffield City Council on the subject and has asked for it to be discussed at the next council-tenant High-Rise Forum meeting.
Mr MacLoughlin, who has lived in the Robertshaw block in Netherthorpe for 40 years, emailed Paul Fletcher, council assistant director of building safety and compliance.
He said: “I would like the forum to dedicate time to discussing how South Yorkshire Police (SYP) carry out their duties and functions within Sheffield Council’s residential high-rise blocks, particularly in light of the severe and complex safety risks currently being experienced by tenants and leaseholders.
“In recent months and years, tenants and leaseholders in tower blocks and other types of high-rise buildings have faced an alarming increase in incidents related to vulnerable individuals, mental health crises, substance abuse, and anti-social behaviour.
Disruption
“Specific issues of grave concern include but are not limited to:
“High concentrations of vulnerable individuals: The placement and clustering of individuals with severe mental health and substance abuse issues in high-rise environments. “Criminal activity and disruption: Frequent drug raids, drug-dealing, and rough sleeping in communal areas. “Severe police incidents: Incidents of vulnerable individuals threatening to jump from tower blocks. Tragically, several of these incidents have resulted in actual fatalities, deeply impacting the community.
“While we understand that SYP operate under their own operational guidelines, these occurrences present severe risks not just to the individuals directly involved, but to the wider tenant and leaseholder population — many of whom are elderly or otherwise vulnerable themselves as well as families with young children.
Frequency
“The intensity and frequency of these incidents require a coordinated, strategic response between the police, the council’s housing and neighbourhoods department and health and social care providers.”
Mr Fletcher responded: “Where we are allowed to share details around the unfortunate event, we will bring [them] to the next High-Rise Forum.
“Please be aware that this was a police operation and any details shared will be in line with any restrictions in line with SYP policy.”
South Yorkshire Police have been approached for comment.
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