Councillor calls for action on illegal student 'to let' signs

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 20th Jan 2006

Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed

A Liberal Democrat Broomhill councillor is calling on the Council to take action against the hundreds of illegal student 'to let' signs that plague the local area. Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed believes that the signs are not just illegal and unsightly, but they act as 'beacons' for criminals to target students in the area.

Broomhill ward has a large student population and has some of the highest crime statistics in Sheffield. Evidence shows that students are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to being a victim of crime. Cllr Mohammed believes that the removal of the illegal signs would go some way to prevent criminals targeting students and making the area safer for the whole community.

Despite demands to the Council for action, Cllr Mohamed and residents in the Broomhill area have seen little action to tackle the problem. The Council has the power to order the removal of the signs under planning law. Despite this the number of illegal 'to let' signs in the area is on the increase.

Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, Liberal Democrat member for Broomhill, said: -

"This Labour Council is doing nothing to get rid of all these illegal 'to let' signs. Local councillors and the local community are demanding action. Our Broomhill councillor team have recently discovered and recorded hundreds of them in Broomhill Ward and passed the list to the Council for action, but nothing happens"

"Why are these signs undesirable you might ask. Apart from being illegal and unsightly, they act as beacons to criminals who target students. Students are most vulnerable to crime and this is reflected by the high crime statistics in our area that has a large student community. The Council must take action to crack down on crime no matter where it is in Sheffield"

"Its clear that the real problem is the landlords. A recent survey revealed 1 in 3 students are unhappy with their digs, this comes as is no surprise. But the Labour Council must get its act together and beef-up planning enforcement to take action against these rouge landlords. In the meantime, we suggest students go into University approved accommodation and try and avoid negligent absent landlords"