Sheffield, 29 July 2024 – A bold new approach to tackling serious and organized crime in the Woodhouse area of Sheffield was officially launched this week, marking a significant step towards transforming the community.
In a coordinated effort, police have worked closely with local residents and partner agencies, including Sheffield City Council, over recent months. Their collaborative plan aims to ignite positive change within the area, with the centrepiece being a day of community conversations scheduled for Wednesday, 31 July. Residents are encouraged to participate by completing a short survey and sharing their insights and suggestions, thus playing a pivotal role in shaping the community’s future.
The initiative started with proactive police activities earlier this month, highlighted by a robust day of action on 10 July. Law enforcement executed numerous warrants, resulting in the seizure of drugs and an imitation firearm. Several arrests were made for a range of offences, including breach of court bail, failure to appear in court, false imprisonment, and possession with intent to supply drugs.
The detailed outcomes of the police operation are as follows:
– One individual reported to appear in court for possession of cannabis.
– One individual was arrested for breaching court bail and possessing a class B drug.
– One individual was arrested for false imprisonment and drug supply.
– Two individuals were arrested for failing to appear in court.
Additionally, two properties in Woodhouse are now under closure orders as part of the ongoing efforts to permanently eradicate severe and organized crime from the area.
Detective Superintendent Nicola Leach of South Yorkshire Police emphasized the importance of community cooperation: “We will work together to tackle the issues that cause the most serious harm to the Woodhouse community. The key to this project’s success is strong collaboration between police and our local partners. We have already executed a number of warrants during our days of action, which began at the start of July. These warrants were made possible thanks to information and intelligence provided to us by members of the public. It is important that you continue to talk to us and pass on information and intelligence that will help us to continue this activity.”
The Sheffield police are employing a strategy known as Clear Hold Build. This three-phase approach focuses on disrupting organized criminal activities before partnering with the community to foster a more prosperous and secure environment.
Councillor Kurtis Crossland, Chair of the Communities, Parks, and Leisure Committee with Sheffield City Council, supported the initiative: “We want every person in Sheffield to live a safe and fulfilling life. Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a neighbourhood they feel secure in, and within a community, they belong to. The work being done in partnership with South Yorkshire Police as part of the ‘Clear Hold Build’ initiative aims to reduce crime and help protect local residents, and I am really pleased the first phase has been such a success. Hopefully, this initiative, alongside all the other great work taking place to create safer communities across the city, will help make residents feel safer and happier in their local neighbourhood.”
Detective Superintendent Andy Farrell of the NPCC highlighted the broader successes of the Clear Hold Build strategy: “Areas which have already implemented this initiative have seen successes ranging from dramatic reductions in anti-social behaviour and violent crime to stronger, more enhanced partnerships with key community stakeholders and grassroots organizations. Clear Hold Build brings this all together. Through police-led disruption, key offenders are targeted and removed, allowing the community to come together and have their say on how to move forward. While police play a key role in bringing offenders to justice, partnership work and community cooperation are essential to the success of an area reclaiming its identity and moving forward, free from harm, exploitation, and the threat of future criminality.”
Residents with information about anti-social behaviour or criminal activity in Woodhouse are urged to report it to the police online or by calling 101. Anonymous tips can also be provided to Crimestoppers at 0800 111 555. All intelligence submitted via Crimestoppers is confidential, ensuring that informants remain unidentified.
This multi-agency effort represents a promising step towards reclaiming the community and fostering a safer, more unified Woodhouse.