New approach to tackling serious and organized crime in suburban Sheffield

A multi-agency approach to tackle organized crime in the Woodhouse area of ​​Sheffield was launched this week.

Over the past few months, Sheffield City Council has supported South Yorkshire Police and worked with the community and partner agencies to design a plan to spark positive change in the area.

Proactive policing was launched in early July in the form of a day of action in Woodhouse.

A number of arrests have already been made for a variety of offenses as well as numerous items seized.

The approach is being implemented by Sheffield Police and is known as Clear Hold Build.

Clear Hold Build is a three-phase strategy that is designed to address and disrupt organized criminal activity in an area, before moving on to work with the community to make that area a more prosperous place to live.

Councilor Kurtis Crossland, Chair of Sheffield City Council’s Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee, said:

“We want everyone in Sheffield to live safe and fulfilled lives. Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a neighborhood where they feel safe and within a community to which they belong.

“The work carried out 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 delighted that the first phase has been such a great success.

“We hope this initiative, along with all the other great work taking place to create safer communities across the city, will help residents feel safer and happier in their local neighbourhood.”

Detective Superintendent Nicola Leach, from South Yorkshire Police, said:

“We will be working together to tackle the issues that are causing the worst harm to the Woodhouse community and key to the success of this project is strong collaboration between the police and our local partners.

“We have already executed a number of warrants during our days of action which started at the beginning of July. These warrants were made possible by information and insights provided to us by members of the public.

“This information led us to obtain closure orders on problem properties and arrest a number of suspects for various offences. It is important that you continue to talk to us and pass on information and insights that will help us continue this work.”

A day of community conversations will take place on Wednesday 31 July and residents are currently being asked to provide feedback by completing a short survey.

The Community Conversation Day will give members of the public a chance to have their say and help shape the community plan.

For more information on the Clear Hold Build, see the South Yorkshire Police website.