Sheffield sees alarming growth in 'street crime'

10.48.13am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 10th Jul 2007

Sheffield sees alarming growth in 'street crime'

Sheffield's local Liberal Democrats have expressed concern at figures that show an alarming increase in 'street crime' in the city. Council performance indicators show that the number of robberies carried out has shot up by 28% in 2006/07. Figures also show that the number of thefts from a vehicle increased by 11% over the same time period. Violent crime increased by 3%, on top of a 34% increase the previous year.

The council believes that the alarming increase in robberies is due to the rise in popularity of personal electronics, such as iPods and mobile phones. They highlight the problem of young people being victimised by other young people as a particular problem.

Local Lib Dems are calling on the council to take appropriate action to stem the increase. They believe that if young people are being targeted then the council should be linking up worth local schools to try and encourage a greater awareness of the problem with potential victims.

Cllr Andrew Sangar, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Performance, said: -

"This 28% increase in the number of robberies committed in Sheffield is disturbing. When considered in conjunction with the increase in thefts from a vehicle and violent crime then local people have every reason to be alarmed."

"The council notes that a particular cause for concern is young people being victimised by other young people. It's clear that more needs to be done to engage with our local schools to work together on the issue."

"We call on the council to change their strategy so there is greater partnership working between local schools and the relevant authorities, such as the local safer neighbourhood teams."

"Sheffield citizens have a right to feel safe in their local neighbourhoods. This increase in 'street crime' is a direct threat to this and the council should be doing more to take early preventative action so that these sort of shocking increases can be avoided."

> Robberies have increased from 1.64 incidents per 1000 population in 2005/06 to 2.10 in 2006/07, an increase of 28%.

> The number of thefts from a vehicle increased from 8707 in 2005/06 to 9657 in 2006/07, an increase of 11%.

> Violent Crime has increased from 22.07 incidents per 1000 population in 2005/06 to 22.73 in 2006/07, an increase of 3% - on top of an increase of 34% the previous year.