Following a series of burglaries in the student-heavy area of Crookes, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) have issued warnings and advice, urging residents to keep their properties safe.
In a letter sent to some residents, the police stated, “Please make sure your property is always secure, even if you are just in the garden.”
The neighbourhood is often referred to as one of the safest places to live in Sheffield, thanks to its proximity to multiple university sites, which attract students to Crookes. However, recent surges in reports of break-ins have left residents on edge.
Security Services at the University say, “Student areas can sometimes be easy targets for burglaries, but you can take a few simple precautions to protect yourself.”
In August 2024 alone, 89 burglaries were reported.
Jessica Edmiston, a second-year psychology student, had the lead stolen off her student home a few weeks before moving in. This incident led to her living room leaking during heavy rain. She said, “It made me feel a bit more cautious. It wasn’t a break-in, but it was sort of a bad first impression of the area.”
She added, “Our neighbours were broken into as well. We’ve been triple-checking everything is locked. The letter we got from the police is good, but also scary.”
The Northwest neighbourhood team offered tips, including checking that your door locks are anti-snap and bump-resistant, removing valuables from being seen outdoors, and informing neighbours when you are away.
They also note that many of the burglaries are classified as ‘sneak-ins,’ where the intruder accesses the property through an ‘insecure window or door.’
Barbara Pikering, a 77-year-old resident in Crosspool, was in her bedroom when a man tried to climb through her small window during the night. She said, “It was really, really scary. We heard what we thought was rain, then a hand pulled the curtain back.”
She added, “We’re told we’re in a safe area, but I’m not too sure about that.”
SYP assures residents that they are “working to prevent burglaries and prosecute those responsible.” They encourage the reporting of all crimes; if you have any information or have seen anything suspicious, please contact them using 101 or report a crime on the SYP website. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
Written by Anna-Louise Adepegba
