KEEPING SAFE, TACKLING CRIME AND BAD BEHAVIOUR

6.14.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Oct 2009

Whilst environmental crimes such as graffiti, fly-tipping, litter and dog-fouling have reduced in our area, we need to keep on top of it.

Fawdon and Kenton was amongst the worst in the city's environmental index (league table) but has improved a lot.

Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh said: "Crime and anti-social behaviour has also reduced a lot in the last five years as we now have more community police, wardens in the hotspots, new community support officers and better working between police, council and housing staff.

"But there are still big problem areas in and around our parks in Fawdon and North Kenton and in and around the Wildlife Trust grounds in Coxlodge. The attention of all agencies is on these hotspot areas."

Over the past five years many other new initiatives have been introduced in our area - introducing alcohol exclusion zones (preventing on-street drinking); extending the night noise team coverage; the Bottlewatch scheme to tackle broken glass; more inspections of premises selling alcohol (and prosecutions for selling to underage drinkers); the junior warden scheme; greater use of on-the-spot fines; the Safe Neighbourhoods Action and Problem-Solving teams.