A seminar on anti-social behaviour and criminality in four Sheffield neighbourhoods heard that shoplifting had become “the norm”. South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council representatives asked residents of Woodhouse, Birley, Beighton, and Mosborough to express their concerns. They heard reports of shoplifters openly selling stolen goods in places like nail bars and parks, which had become no-go zones due to drug activity. Those who attended the meeting demanded a bigger police presence and were assured that the department would “proactively respond” to the issues expressed.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the South East Local Area Committee was informed of difficulties in Woodhouse Market Square, where stolen items from shops were being sold “immediately” to passers-by. In one case, customers at a nail salon were offered butter to purchase. When the BBC visited Woodhouse, one woman stated that adolescents on e-bikes and scooters were “not scared of anybody” and frequently vandalised cars. Insp Katie Hammond of the neighbourhood police team serving the south-east of the city said: “Everything raised at the meeting has been taken on board by me and my team, and plans are being put in place to proactively respond to some of the issues raised.”

“In the following days, officers will patrol areas of concern and visit some of the companies mentioned during the conference to provide reassurance and crime prevention advice.

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