'I don't feel safe in my own shop', says bookseller

Shopkeepers in Sheffield are calling for more protection and support after experiencing harassment and threatening behaviour while at work.

Kate Nixon, the owner of Novel bookshop and café in Crookes, says she has been forced to close after 18 months after repeated incidents involving '"intimidating" and "antisocial" behaviour, with other female business owners in the city sharing similar stories.

Kilvinder Vigurs, deputy mayor of policing and crime for South Yorkshire, describes the reports as "unacceptable" and says she is "deeply concerned" about the issue.

"Unfortunately something that was supposed to provide me a living and safety is now arguably the place I feel least safe," Kate says.

The former teacher previously sold books at local markets and opened the shop with her husband in 2024.

"I think every place deserves its own independent bookshop and there was definitely a gap in the market," she says.

"This unit became available and I felt like everything just fell into place."

Shortly after the opening weekend, Kate says a man who appeared "mentally unwell" started "trashing the shop, threatening to fight people and getting very angry".

A second man would turn up each morning and watch staff with his "teeth gritted", she says.

South Yorkshire Police recently issued a formal warning to a third man after he repeatedly made staff feel uncomfortable.

The bookseller says the incidents "broke" her emotionally.

"I'm just at a loss of what to do at this point because I don't believe we are safe," she says.

"I feel like a sitting duck."

Anwen Fryer Burrows opened the Airy Fairy gift shop on London Road in 1999 and runs a vegetarian cafe from the back of the store.

"I think every member of staff at some point has felt vulnerable due to some person, and by and large that is men, sadly," she says.

"It's something that just feels inescapable."

During her time running the shop, her safety upgrades have included a magnetic security door after being "robbed and assaulted" and a recent video doorbell installation.

"Having accessible, free self-defence training for women would certainly go some way towards helping us feel safer," Anwen says.

"When I started my shop, we had a local community police officer and he was absolutely fabulous.

"The police knew about anybody who was a bit of a troublemaker in the area because they were good at having a rapport and helped to keep trouble to a minimum.

"I think that's a great loss to little communities like this."

Jules Grey recently moved her Hop Hideout beer shop to Leah's Yard in Sheffield city centre.

She says her outlook is to always treat everyone with "kindness and compassion", however she has experienced a spike in antisocial behaviour in the last year.

"In every single location I've had some issues to deal with, and all of the incidents bar one have been men acting very threatening or aggressive towards me," she says.

"I've had to go to the police, with lots of ongoing incidents."

"With the cost of living, cuts to services, all of these societal things going on, obviously I want people to get help - but this sort of behaviour isn't acceptable.

"I should be able to come into work and not feel threatened or abused by a stranger."

"Harassment and intimidation are crimes," Kilvinder says.

"If someone threatens you, puts hands on you or refuses to leave when asked, that crosses the line into criminal offending."

She continues: "Visibility and access to local police officers helps to build confidence.

"You can contact your local named neighbourhood team on the South Yorkshire Police website and I encourage business owners to build those relationships so problems are tackled early and report all incidents."

Nik Dodsworth, local policing inspector for Sheffield North West, says: "Since becoming aware of concerns in the Crookes area we have been working closely with Ms Nixon and other businesses, offering advice and support including around enhanced security measures and crime prevention tactics.

"We have also been exploring the possibility of civil orders against prolific individuals."

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