Firshill Road residents expressed their anger at the drug dealing on Firshill Road, and their frustration that police action had had little effect in stopping it, at a meeting with police and Councillors in November.
Residents want to work with the police to tackle the problem because dealing seriously affects the quality of life of all the residents and people in the surrounding area.
Twenty residents attended, along with local Councillors Ibrar Hussain and Steve Jones, and asked the police why nothing had been done.
Residents complained that they repeatedly called the police about the problems of blatant drug dealing, speeding and wheel spinning on their street.
PC Adam Butcher of the New Deal police team said that Firshill was one of the quieter roads in Burngreave and that crowds of young people have moved on since their intervention. But in order to catch drug dealers they need more evidence such as names, descriptions or licence plate numbers, as they were unable to prioritise it for surveillance or more policing.
Cllr Hussain explained that this had been an issue for over two years, he said:
“I don’t agree this is not a priority, the councillors have spoken to high-ranking police officers about it but still nothing is done. This problem has to be moved from this street, the residents have put up with it long enough.”
One resident said:
“If this is one of the quieter streets, I’d hate to see what other streets in the area are like.”
Another said:
“I have been threatened, and called a police informer. Residents are frightened to answer their doors. Something has to be done.”
PC Butcher said that Firshill Road would be included in Operation Gulliver, designed to reduce drug dealing, knife and gun crime by stopping vehicles in the area and carrying out searches. This will continue until the middle of December.
Cllr Jones and Cllr Hussain said they would be talking to senior police officers to find some longterm solutions to the dealing which had been going on for years.
Since the meeting the police have had a much more proactive and visible approach to dealing with the dealers on the street and the amount of visible dealing has reduced.
Residents were advised to call PC Butcher on 296 4489 with information about dealing and information given will be treated in confidence. (Always call 999 in an emergency.) Councillors will continue to work with the police to get more action on the problem.
Firshill Community Association will also be putting together a petition for traffic calming on the street. Residents have been told that the street was not a priority because of the amount of traffic on the road. Council officers have declined to meet residents and have advised residents not to raise their hopes.
For more information about Firshill Community Association contact the Messenger on 0114 242 0564.
by Lisa Swift