A makeshift homeless camp on Ellesmere Green has been cleared by Sheffield City Council following repeated complaints about anti-social behaviour on the grounds.
The camp had stood at the Burngreave green for nine months before it was removed by council workers last Thursday.
Repeated complaints regarding the camp included concerns regarding people gathering around the camp, anti-social behaviour, and smoke from fires affecting businesses and passers-by.
The removal of the camp was supervised and aided by police officers, following concerns raised by business-owners of threatening behaviour by the individual residing there.
Council workers were seen lifting the man’s camp and tent onto the back of a lorry, including a makeshift hammock, chairs, and barrier fencing. Dead rats hanging from trees were also removed from the green during the clearing.
Burngreave councillor Mustafa Ahmed said that “repeated attempts have been made to offer the man help and support”, which were declined. He also alleged that the man residing in the camp had verbally abused him, as well as making a “deeply offensive comment” about his young son.
Resident Paul Anderson said that he saw “campfires” in the camp multiple times, leading him to avoid using the park and send complaints to the council multiple times over the span of a month. The response from the council, he felt, was inadequate and too slow, even when expressing environmental and health concerns. Many others, he noted, used the park less, as it was an “area to avoid” when the camp was there.
Traders overlooking the camp such as the Al Noor bookshop and Almazaj Coffee & Juice shop raised concerns that the fires and anti-social behaviour would affect business and footfall.
The site, by Spital Hill, has seen three previous homeless encampments in the past being cleared by the council, with previous complaints including concerns regarding used needles on the green.
South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that no arrests were made on this occasion, and that only one person was residing in the camp at the time of removal.
Photo credit: Sheffield City Council