CCTV camera installed on notorious Sheffield street plagued by drug-taking and nuisance

South Street near Park Hill flats and the nearby amphitheatre have been plagued by large groups taking drugs, dropping litter and causing nuisance for years.

Residents have been calling on Sheffield Council and South Yorkshire Police to act for some time but increased police patrols have so far done little to address the issue.

However, Sheffield Council have now fitted a CCTV camera at the junction of South Street and Shrewsbury Road in the hope it will bring an end to the problem.

Maxine Stavrianakos, head of community safety and safer neighbourhoods, said: “Our community safety team has coordinated measures and worked with local partners to address increased levels of anti-social behaviour around South Street/Amphitheatre.

“Local residents raised concerns about large groups congregating on the pavement during warmer days and inside cars in colder weather and there were reports of recreational drug use, general nuisance from some groups, littering and anti-social behaviour until the early hours.

“We have increased high visibility patrols carried out by the Manor and Arbourthorne neighbourhood policing team and Streets Ahead. We have also improved lighting in the area after midnight and the council has recently installed a CCTV camera, which is now fully operational and integrated into the Sheffield CCTV control room.”

Ms Stavrianakos said monitoring of the area and further planned work will continue in consultation with the local policing team.

She said: “We are confident that the collective measures we have taken so far will support us to reduce the anti-social behaviour in the area. This should significantly improve public safety and the confidence of local residents.

“We are working with drug treatment services to regularly visit the area and surrounding area as well as with Amey to reduce overgrown vegetation and hidden and sheltered areas.

"We are also making abandoned buildings secure. In addition, we are liaising with local pharmacies to promote the use of personal needle bins to avoid drug users leaving their used needles behind in public areas.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.