Archived press release

Date Published: 31/10/06

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cleansing service has been recognised for its contribution to the success of neighbourhood policing in the district. The service, which is responsible for keeping the district clean and tidy, was awarded a ...

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cleansing service has been recognised for its contribution to the success of neighbourhood policing in the district.

The service, which is responsible for keeping the district clean and tidy, was awarded a certificate of achievement for its work to improve the local environment.

This special award was presented at an event to celebrate the first year of neighbourhood policing in Aylesbury Vale and to recognise key individuals for their commitment and enthusiasm to the initiative.

AVDC’s cleansing service team has been working closely with Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to tackle anti-social behaviour in the district. This work has included visiting problem areas which require a clean up and organising the removal of items or cleansing of the affected areas. The council has dealt with 93 incidents of graffiti, flytipping and litter as a result of these visits and noted 58 incidents for other agencies to respond to.

Cleansing service workers also attend Neighbourhood Action Group meetings to establish what environmental problems are affecting the local community’s quality of life and sense of safety in their neighbourhood.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters at AVDC, said: “I would like to thank the cleansing service staff for their commitment and hard work which has made this award possible. This success reflects the council’s commitment to tackling anti-social behavior and creating safer, stronger communities. However, this is not the job of the council alone. It is important that all agencies work together to make sure the streets of Aylesbury Vale remain safe and in an environment where people are happy to live.”

A number of residents, county and district councillors and officers as well as police officers and police community support officers were also presented with certificates for their contributions to the success of the neighbourhood policing  programme.

Aylebury Local Police Area (LPA) Commander, Supt Carole Haveron presented each award at the evening event held at Judges’ Lodgings in Aylesbury, and congratulated all those involved in the neighbourhood policing process for the way they are actively involved in making their community  a safer place to live.

Supt Carole Haveron praised the council’s cleansing service workers for the contribution they have made to the neighbourhood policing programming.  She said: “This event was to acknowledge the contribution of individuals and groups who work tirelessly behind the scene to improve the quality of life for the community. Litter, graffiti and flytipping disproportionately effects how people feel about their neighbourhood and the cleansing services have played a major role in ensuring the removal of these visible signs quickly, thereby improving how people feel.”  

Local residents can help AVDC tackle environmental crime. If you see someone dropping litter or fly-tipping, call the council on 01296 585235.