Community feature: Darnall residents call for action to tackle fly-tipping, street drinking and drug dealing in their neighbourhood

And it can't come soon enough for some fed-up residents in Darnall.

Residents living in and around Darnall Road - one of the main routes through the eastern Sheffield suburb - highlighted a wide range of crime and disorder issues as being rife in the area.

And the statistics back up their claims.

Police figures show 221 crimes were reported in and around Darnall in November last year - the most recent numbers available - with general anti-social behaviour accounting for 60 of these incidents.

With police pledging to get back out into our communities, Darnall residents are calling for bobbies and their partners in the council to make their neighbourhood a top priority.

They gave officers a list of urgent issues to tackle:-

*Clamp down on fly-tipping

*Increase patrols on an evening

*Tackle street drinking and drug dealing

*Reduce burglaries, and

*Organise more activities for young people.

Residents highlighted how several derelict buildings along Darnall Road, and in particular behind the old Salvation Army Hall, have become strewn with litter in recent months.

During a visit to the area, The Star noted several discarded mattresses, children's play equipment and suitcases discarded in bushes behind the building.

While Sheffield Council has fenced off the site and put up signs warning fly-tippers they face harsh fines, residents said more should be done.

Hussain Kheili, who owns Quix News, described the litter problem as 'rife' and added that bags of litter are often dumped outside his shop.

He said: "Most days I come to work and there is a bin liner full of rubbish outside. It is bad all over. There are some people that are just dirty."

The shopkeeper called for the council to put up extra signs warning people of the consequences and added: "When they pick up their benefits they should be told you wont get any money if you litter."

Darnall Drive resident Daniel Howard said vandals have targeted his house a number of occasions.

The 22-year-old added: "Our windows have been put through a few times. Vandalism is definitely a problem but you hardly ever see police up here."

A neighbour, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years but did not want to give his name for fear of reprisals, told how he was burgled twice a few years ago.

He added: "They took about £4000 worth of jewellery and ornaments. I've had to pay for CCTV cameras all around now.