New community centre could cut crime - charity

Anti-social behaviour and crime in part of Sheffield could be reduced if a new religious and community centre is built, a charity has said.

The United Kingdom Islamic Mission (UKIM) said it planned to create the Wybourn Islamic Centre near the city's Hyde Park flats, if given the go-ahead by the council.

According to UKIM, the building, on the site of a former community meeting hall and youth centre on Maltravers Road, would be a place for prayer and education as well as social and community facilities.

In documents to be considered by councillors, UKIM said the centre "would contribute positively to the neighbourhood, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour through increased community use".

The plans stated that the building would have a designated area where people could pray together or alone.

It would also include a food bank, and coffee mornings and other activities would be held at the site with the aim of reducing isolation and anxiety for local residents.

The charity said that since acquiring the building, it had transformed its appearance and usage.

UKIM said extensive internal work had been carried out on the building and community events "including litter-picking, alleyway cleaning, neighbour visits, community gatherings, and Ramadan activities" had all taken place.

According to the charity's application, it wanted to create "a vibrant and dynamic local community facility that meets the social, cultural, economic, health, educational and religious need of local people".

UKIM stated that because religious activities were just one aspect of the centre's planned community use, it did not feel an application to register the facility primarily as a place of worship was appropriate.

A decision on the plan was expected to be made by Sheffield City Council by 21 January, according to council documents.

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