Students “let down” after IC attacks

Students have reported being mugged after working late at Information Commons.

In the past 2 months, 2 students have come forward to report violent attacks on themselves after leaving the library in the early hours.

On 8th March, mature student Student Mr Li (whose first name cannot be revealed for legal reasons) was maliciously attacked and robbed by two men on his walk home.

Photo: JUS News Mr Li’s ear was severely maimed by the attackers

After leaving the Information Commons around 10:00pm Mr Li heard a male voice shout “Hey, Chinese man, give me money!” Mr Li described these men to South Yorkshire as “of Asian appearance, in their mid-20’s and both had short black hair and a moustache”

The assault lasted for approximately one minute and during this time the victim’s glasses were knocked off and trampled into pieces. He was punched repeatedly and a three-centimetre wound was cut onto Mr Li’s left ear nearly making him lose part of his ear.

Mr Li rang the police and was rushed to the Northern General Hospital for emergency treatment. Mr Li waited a day and a half for an operation and was unable to eat or drink during that time.

“The hospital said there was a continuous high priority when injured patients came in, they must be treated then.” Said Mr Li

“I asked the police for help but they said this is out of their business.

“I was very disappointed about the subsequent processing of this criminal accident.”

34-year old Mr Li came to Sheffield in August of 2013 to begin a year-long programme in the Linguistics department at University of Sheffield.

As a result of this assault police patrols around student areas have increased to reassure students. The recent attacks have sparked fears among students, particularly international students, that there are parts of Sheffield city which are no-go areas due to what seems like high levels of crime.

For example, various International Students live in or close to Opal 2 and 3 where they have said to not feel safe going out when it turns dark and they specifically avoid certain parts when walking during the day. The area around Opal 3 is also known as Sheffield’s red light district where some students have been asked by men in cars if they are prostitutes.

Photo: JUS News Mr Li’s damaged ear

A statement from South Yorkshire police said:

“Police are continuing to investigate a robbery which happened in Bramwell Street, Sheffield. A 34-year-old man walking in the street when he was approached by two suspects who threatened him and demanded his bag. The student was then assaulted before the men ran off empty handed.

“Detectives are treating this as an isolated incident and are appealing for anyone with information about robbery the call police.

“High visibility patrols have also been conducted in the area to reassure residents.”

As well as Mr Li’s attack, in early February Mr Joslin, another student at the University of Sheffield, was assaulted on Favell Road next to the Information Commons.

In case you didn’t know what it looked like.

Two males in broad daylight held Mr Joslin against the wall and forcefully asked him to hand over his phone after refusing several times.

Mr Joslin said: “I was confused and resisted but they began punching and kicking me, all I can remember really is screaming for help a lot until my voice gave out”

Mr Joslin said that several people walked past and that he even saw one man turn around to see what was happening without taking further action.

Eventually the assailants got bored and left Mr Joslin alone in a foetal position.

Mr Joslin said: “I personally would have appreciated at that moment in time would have been someone going to alert security staff, threatening to phone the police, or even just hang around to make sure I would be alright” He also urges students to act more carefully in the future and if someone sees a situation like his or Mr Li’s don’t turn a blind eye.

Witnesses are asked to call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 1251 of 8 March.