University security staff bike-lock fire exits of occupied Hicks Building

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UPDATE (12:35pm 25/11/2022): Occupiers have now left the building. It remains blockaded and closed.

A group of student protesters who occupied the Hicks Building last night (24th November) claim University of Sheffield Security Services used bike locks to lock them inside.

Video footage from Sheffield Action Group shows Security Services using D-locks to fasten all exits, including the fire exits at either end of the corridor.

The group alleges this action contravenes the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which states that emergency doors must not be locked or fastened so that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by anyone who may require them in an emergency.

Security Services argued they would unlock the doors in the event of an emergency, causing alarm from the protesters who insist by law they should be able to use the doors, which should remain unlocked, themselves.

One of the occupiers, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It is dangerous and unacceptable that University management would endanger the lives of peaceful protesters in this way. We are here to demand dignity and better conditions for their staff, a struggle which has been fought for by the whole University community for years.

The group are calling on University management to meet the demands of the UCU strike, which include better pay, conditions, job security, and pension security.

Additionally, they demand the University sever its relationships with companies whose portfolios include the production and sale of arms. A short occupation of The Diamond last month was also conducted by Sheffield Action Group, demanding the same.

Another student in Hicks said: “It is always deeply regretful to disrupt our fellow students and this is not the aim of our occupations.

“We feel that the disruption caused everyday to staff by poor pay, conditions, and job security; and to students by inadequate mental health support, a marketised education system, and the cost of living crisis, is far more disruptive than an occasional occupation. We do not want to disrupt you.”

The occupiers have called on Security Operations Manager Simon Verrall and Vice-Chancellor Koen Lamberts to publicly apologise and resign as a result of the incident.

A spokesperson for the University said: “This group of occupiers had told us their intention was to disrupt University teaching and work … We support peaceful protests at the University.”

“Our priority is to minimise disruption for students as much as possible, so our security team worked to contain the occupiers in one area of the building. There were members of security at the doors at all times and the occupiers were free to leave the building at any time.”


Sheffield Action Group say they intend to contact the fire services over the alleged breach of fire regulations and are exploring legal action for what they say is unlawful imprisonment.