Frightened residents have spoken out about their lack of trust in the police after two men were shot in Sheffield on Friday evening.
Police are now investigating the incident in Woodhouse, which has also seen a string of thefts in recent months.
Ben Deighton, the co-founder of a volunteer-led patrol group for the area, claims police are taking too long to respond to incidents, leaving the community to be terrorised by criminals.
“Residents have lost faith in South Yorkshire Police,” he said
Mr Deighton launched Facebook group ‘S13 and S12 criminal activity evidence and patrol information’ last December after thieves stole £10,000 worth of tools from his vehicle parked in Woodhouse village.
He hopes the group, which acts as an intermediary between victims and the police and organises patrols which collect evidence, will help to reassure the community.
“You’re constantly on guard. I’ve got full CCTV on my property, and I find myself waking up in the middle of the night just to check the CCTV and see if anyone’s been round my house,” he added.
One worried resident who has lived in the area for over 30 years believes the crime rate is “out of control”, and he is considering moving out of the area.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said he no longer feels safe cycling in Woodhouse, after receiving harassing comments from teenagers threatening to steal his bike. He now drives out of the area before starting his rides.
Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts said he understood residents would be concerned about the shooting, but reassured them the incident does not pose a threat to the safety of the wider community.
He also praised the efforts of South Yorkshire Police, with the number of low-level crimes in the area falling in recent weeks.
Mr Betts encouraged residents to report incidents to the police rather than taking matters into their own hands but said he was happy to work with anyone in the community trying to tackle crime.
“We’re all on the same side,” he said.
Two men were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries on Friday 5 March after police were called to Ashpool Close, at around 10.40pm. One victim remains in hospital in a stable condition.
No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information call 101, quoting incident number 1054.
