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Police support clean up campaign in St Matthews

Posted on 25/04/2009

Police support clean up campaign in St Matthews

One of the winning posters designed by a pupil at Taylor Road Primary School

Primary school children in St Matthew's in Leicester are joining police and housing officers in urging residents to clean up the estate.

Tackling litter and fly tipping has been identified as a priority by local agencies in St Matthews, including the neighbourhood policing team, neighbourhood housing office and Tenants' and Residents' Association, after community consultations revealed it is a serious concern for residents.

A letter informing residents of the correct ways to dispose of or recycle rubbish, and the potential consequences of flytipping, has been delivered to every home on the estate last week.

Pupils at Taylor Road Primary School have also been given the challenge of designing posters to raise awareness. The winning designs have been made into posters and will be displayed at key locations around the estate.

Neighbourhood housing manager for the St Matthews Estate, Ela Krychowska-Hall, said: "There is obviously a correlation between flytipping and infestations of mice and rats on the estate. We need to tackle this problem especially as the warmer weather is approaching. All the agencies in St Matthews are keen to work in partnership with residents to make the estate a cleaner place.

"This campaign has three strands - information, education and enforcement. In addition to a letter we are also producing stickers which provide the relevant contact details for residents to report problems or find out more about recycling, for example.

"Persistent offenders will also be identified and contacted by housing officers, environmental crime staff and police with a possibility of legal action."

The campaign will focus on identified roads on the estate including Everest Court, Chester Close, Edmonton Road and Manitoba Road.

PC Sarah Lowe from the St Matthew's neighbourhood policing team said: "Litter is not typically an issue for the police to deal with. However, following consultations with the community it is clear that litter and the dumping of rubbish on the estate is a major concern and is impacting negatively on the lives of residents. That is why we have identified it as one our neighbourhood priorities for the next few months.

"We will be tackling the problem in conjunction with other agencies on the estate. It has also provided us with another opportunity to engage with local school children through the poster competition."

Jean Williams from the St Matthews Tenants' and Residents' Association said: "We want to keep St Matthews clean but we can't do that without the help of all the tenants and residents. We need them to dispose of their rubbish safely and in the appropriate way.

"The children on the estate have complained to me about all of the rubbish. We need an estate where the children can play freely and safely without the dangers of rubbish lying around."

Chris Hassall is headteacher of Taylor Road Primary School which ran the poster competition for pupils.

He said: "One of the great strengths of St Matthews is that all the agencies work together for the good of the estate and as a community school we are proud to support this work.

"The children have produced some delightful posters and it is felt that they will have a greater impact on residents because they have been made by local children. The poster competition has also helped to raise awareness among the children of the dangers of litter and therefore among their parents and families too."

Leicester City Council's cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Rob Wann, said: "Flytipping is unsightly, it can blight areas and make residents' lives miserable.

"I am glad to see different organisations working together with people from the community to tackle the problem and help improve the environment for everyone."