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Environmental Action Week launches in Syston

Posted on 21/04/2008
P. Klein

caring for the environment

The police at Charnwood police station have organised an Environmental Action Week in Syston.

Officers will be working with representatives from Charnwood Borough Council, Syston Town Council, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Age Concern, the Primary Care Trust and 45 volunteers from Walkers Crisps.

The week will start with a joint briefing at 9am on Monday 21 April 2008. Events are planned every day for the following seven days. The partnership approach aims to tackle anti-social behaviour, reduce the fear of crime and clear up litter from the village. Talks are planned with pupils at local schools about the consequences of anti-social behaviour, drug issues and health issues associated with drinking alcohol. Age Concerns Signal Bus will be parked at the Health Centre where staff will offer gadgets for the home, advice on pensions and crime prevention, particularly in relation to distraction burglaries. The fire prevention pod will be at the fire station on Melton Road and Connexions will be talking to young people on Thursday 24th to find out what their issues are and what they would like to see done.

A Ward Walk is planned at 10am on Monday 21 April with representatives from the County, Borough and Town Councils. Residents are invited to come along and walk around the village to look at problem areas and discuss ideas and concerns.

The volunteers from Walkers Crisps will be helping to pick up litter and distribute crime prevention leaflets on Monday as part of the companys community action project.

On Sunday 27 April, the local beat officer, PC 2089 Andy Oliver, will give a presentation to the congregation at St. Peter and St. Pauls Church and the Methodist Chapel and talking about Hope 08, which encourages people to get involved in a wider range of community projects, which may include becoming street pastors.

PC 2089 Andy Oliver, the neighbourhood beat officer said; "Community issues are best tackled by the community in partnership with a wide range of other agencies including the police. By working together, and listening to the concerns of local residents, we can establish the problem areas, ensure the right agency has the information they need to tackle those issues, and, as a result, ensure positive action is taken.

"Age Concerns Signal Bus will be parked at the Health Centre for the beginning of the week and the Forces beat bus will be on Walkers Way at the end of the week so please come along and talk to us. We will also have a computer console in the Co Op in Town Square for residents to fill in a customer satisfaction survey on behalf of the police and Charnwood Borough Council."

"It promises to be a busy but fruitful week."

Councillor David Snartt, Charnwood Boroughs Councils Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said; "This is a great opportunity to meet local residents to find out the issues that are concerning them. I am particularly interested in their views on the level of anti-social behaviour within the area, and to explain to residents what measures we are looking to put in place to tackle the problems this causes local people.

"I have previously been involved in similar action weeks, which have produced real benefits for the local residents. We cannot deliver all the resolutions to problems within one week, but we can start to make a difference and get a better understanding of the concerns raised by residents."

Ken Pacey, Chairman of Syston Town Council, said; "We are always delighted to work with the police and other organisations to work together in keeping Syston clean and tidy and how we would like it. The Environmental Action Day that was held last year was extremely successful and we are only too willing to help and assist all the organisations involved."

For more information please call Angela Fielding, the Community Initiatives Co-ordinator for Charnwood local policing unit, on Leicester (0116) 222 2222 ext 4240.