Officers and clean up crews from Ashfield District Council, and Nottinghamshire Police joined forces for the day long swoop which produced immediate results in an area that has suffered from anti social behaviour problems in recent months.

Centred on Brand Lane, Institute Street, Co-op Street and Cross Row, the clean-up targeted a number of eye-sores and health hazards, with rubbish including furniture, electrical goods and food waste, removed from back yards, gardens and alleyways. A street sweeper and mini sweeper were also used in the clean-up.

The Council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers offered advice and help to residents, and in some cases issued enforcement notices, particularly in cases where residents were not putting out their wheelie bins, and had been disposing of household waste near their properties. The Council’s team was planning to return a week after the clean-up to check standards were being maintained.

Commented Ashfield District Council’s Head of Neighbourhood Services, Edd de Coverly:

”A dirty, unkempt environment is not only likely to create a health hazard, but can also contribute to anti-social behaviour problems. Therefore clean-up operations like this can have an important impact on improving the quality of life for the community.

“We received excellent co-operation from the people of Stanton Hill during the clean-up and we are now hoping the improvements made during the day can be sustained.”

PC Fiona Trussell, beat officer for Stanton Hill, said:

"The event helped us to engage effectively with the people who live in Stanton Hill and find out what issues are most important to them and what they want us to tackle.

"We had some very positive feedback from the people we spoke to, who told us they have noticed an increased police presence in the area. It is encouraging that our work is having a positive impact on people's lives and, by working together, we are confident this will continue."