Sheffields' own Cagney and Lacey win award from Home Office

Two Sheffield residents, dubbed Sheffield’s own Cagney and Lacey, have received an award from the Home Office for their work supporting local people suffering from anti-social behaviour.

 

 

The crime fighting duo, aka June MacFarlane and Ann Kemp, won the Home Offices’ Respect Award for Taking a Stand in recognition for the determination and bravery they showed in tackling anti-social behaviour in the Parson Cross area of Sheffield.

 

 

The ladies, who were nominated for the award by Sheffield Homes’ Anti-Social Behaviour Team, swung into action after friends and neighbours broke down in tears and confided in them about the intimidation and threats they were receiving from a neighbour who terrorised the city estate. 

 

 

Within half an hour June and Ann had called Police and Sheffield Homes, and had set the ball rolling to put a stop to the nuisance neighbours’ behaviour.  With support from Sheffield Homes they also set themselves up as a witness support team to help the victims through the process of recording evidence, giving statements and attending court.

 

 

Ann Kemp said, "As soon as we found out what had been happening we both decided enough was enough.  The woman was intimidating all the older tenants living in the block of flats, being abusive and threatening, constantly banging on people’s doors and yelling down the intercom.  People were getting scared of leaving their flats because they didn’t want to see her on the stair ways.”

 

 

June added, “No one deserves that, people just want to live a quiet and peaceful life without being scared of going out.  When we starting working with Sheffield Homes the other residents came forward and we helped them to record evidence using diary sheets.  We even went with them to give evidence in court.   People knew they could ring us any time of day.  Day or night we’d always be on the other end of the phone.”  

Ann and June, who are both in their 50s and are members of Holgate and Milnrow Tenants and Residents Association, received their award and a cheque for £1000 in a special celebration in London on Monday 26 March.  In true community spirit they decided to donate the money to Mansel Primary School to support the schools after school activities.

 

 

Mandy Perkin, Senior Housing Officer at Sheffield Homes, said, “I nominated Ann and June because of their dedication and the support they offered local people whilst we were compiling a case.  This case highlights how anti-social behaviour has such a negative affect on people and also demonstrates how individuals and communities can clearly make a difference.  Winning the award and having recognition from the Home Office is testament to their determination to put a stop to the harassment local people were facing.”

 

 

Sheffield Homes' Anti-Social Behaviour team took the nuisance neighbour to court and successfully had her removed from the property.  She has since moved to Manchester.