A key area of Middlesbrough has been cleaned up in a week-long crackdown.
The multi-agency blitz in North Ormesby saw Middlesbrough Council join forces with Cleveland Police and partner agencies to combat environmental issues and crime and antisocial behaviour.
Area Care operatives and environmental services carried out daily street cleaning, removed litter and fly-tipping and deep cleansed back alleys.
The Middlesbrough Environmental Enforcement Team worked with colleagues from Cleveland Police and DVLA to take seven illegal, untaxed and potentially dangerous vehicles off the street.
During the operation - led by the Council’s Selective Landlord Licensing team - the DVLA’s ANPR vehicle also scanned nearly 4,000 number plates, with 118 vehicles identified as untaxed and subject to further enforcement action.
A skip supplied by Cleveland Fire Brigade placed outside North Ormesby Community Hub was filled with two tonnes of waste which might otherwise have been fly-tipped.
Youth Focus North East engaged 25 young people in a range of activities including cooking, sports, arts and crafts and much more, while the MFC Foundation laid on a tour of the Riverside Stadium, and hosted a range of fitness and wellbeing sessions at North Ormesby Hub.
A multi-agency environmental walkabout was carried out, resulting in the reporting of a number of environmental issues and removal of a skip which had been in situ for a number of months.
The week was rounded off with a well-attended flowerpot workshop at the Community Hub with and residents taking away planted pots and seeds.
North Ormesby ward Councillor Jan Ryles, who participated in a number of events during the week, said: “There was a great community feel to all the good work carried out that week including positive interaction with those participating in the activities inside and outside the Hub.”
Councillor Janet Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Community Safety, said: “The vast majority of residents are decent and law-abiding, but their lives and neighbourhoods can be blighted by the selfish behaviour of a tiny minority.
“We won’t tolerate that, and we work tirelessly with our partners to stamp out antisocial behaviour, deter and detect crime and clean up alleys and other communal areas.
“We can only do that with the support and consent of the public – if you’re suffering from any of these issues, report them to us and our partners and we will deal with them.”
Fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and many other offences can also be reported online at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/report
Middlesbrough Council offers a safe, free or inexpensive bulky waste collection service. For more information and to request a collection, visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/bulky-item-collection or call 01642 726001.
Residents can also book online to dispose of large items at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre at Haverton Hill.
There is no charge for residents but fees apply for businesses.