Sheffield South West

Tackling residential burglaries in the Beauchief & Greenhill ward, including Lowedges, Beauchief and Greenhill.
We have identified this ward area as having a higher burglary rate than other ward areas in the South West. We have created a problem solving plan to address these issues and we are currently working with partners to identify offenders and safeguard residents.
We have increased patrols in this area and we continue to offer crime prevention materials and advice to vulnerable households. We have a long-term plan in place to reduce burglary in this area - watch this space for updates in the following months!

Our PCSOs cocoon properties after every burglary, offering crime prevention advice to the victim and neighbouring properties. They also patrol on foot in hotspot areas.
We regularly undertake plain clothed operations, focusing on known offenders addresses and any hotspot areas. Our colleagues in firearms and traffic have supported us with targeted tasking.
This work continues but we hope to see some positive prosecutions in the coming months as a result of ongoing investigations.

You can also take some extra security steps to ensure you're less of a target to these criminals. We recommend getting into an exit routine when you leave your home, following our simple and easy tips:

•Ensure all doors are locked, even if you are inside your home. Burglars will be looking for open doors as an easy opportunity to slip in
•Ensure any side gates or outer buildings, like sheds and garages, are locked and secure where possible
•Consider installing a home CCTV and monitor light system
•Install a burglar alarm, and set it when you leave your home
•Fit a steering wheel lock on your vehicles, even if they are parked on your driveway
•Ensure any spare car keys are stored in a safe place, away from your front door
•If you are planning on leaving your home to take a festive holiday, ask a neighbour or friend to check on your property and keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour

We have made a number of significant arrests in the last month and investigations continue.
In the last four weeks, burglary volumes are 22% lower than what we would expect to see in this period. However, our work continues and updates will be posted on our social media pages.

Targeting serious organised criminality, principally drug production/supply, illegal retailing, money laundering and other identified crime types within the Sharrow/London and Abbeydale Road area of Sheffield.

We are working closely with partners, such as Trading Standards, Licensing and Immigration to tackle illegal retailing and to make overall improvements to the London/Abbeydale Road area.

August saw the return of Operation Duxford in Sheffield, which focused on the South West area.

The activity – which started on Tuesday (4 August) evening and continued on Wednesday (5 August) – formed the latest editions of Operation Duxford and Operation Snaresbrook. More than £100,000 in cash and a significant amount of gold has been seized from venues suspected to be involved in illegal gambling.
Sixteen illegal betting terminals were discovered inside venues on London Road, Sheffield, and Silver Street, Doncaster, as well as large amounts of cash and gold in the form of bars, coins and jewellery.
Three people were arrested as part of the raids on suspicion of immigration offences, possessing a bladed article, and gambling offences.
The work was carried out in conjunction with the Gambling Commission, Yorkshire & Humber Regional and Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU), and local authorities.

According to Crimestoppers, illegal vapes often fund organised crime. An illicit vape is one that is sold illegally. These products are typically unregulated and untested, and can contain dangerous levels of nicotine and other harmful substances, including unsafe levels of lead and nickel. The risks associated with using these unregulated and unsafe vapes include heart palpitations, respiratory issues, and long-term addiction, particularly among children, who are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of nicotine.

We are responding to this issue by regularly undertaking joint operations with Trading Standards. We have seized over £100,000 worth of illegal vapes since this work began. We also target illegal cigarettes.

On Wednesday 5th August, we conducted a warrant on an illegal tobacco factory, discovering quantities of tobacco worth in excess of £11,000 (street value), or £100,000 if it had been a genuine, duty-paid product.

We are also aware that vapes, alcohol and knives are being sold to children. We undertake regular test purchase operations. These have been very successful, with a handful of premises selling knives and alcohol to children. All businesses have been referred to licensing or Trading Standards and in some cases, we have prosecuted the staff responsible for the sale.