Offenders cleaning up communities
CLEANER STREETS: Teams will be tackling fly-tipping, vandalism, graffiti and littering
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
A project to clean-up communities and combat antisocial behaviour in Hull has been launched.
The city council is participating in the second phase of the Government-led Project Clean Streets initiative. The first phase has been hailed a success in Wales, the North East, the East of England and Greater Manchester regions, with phase two now taking place in Yorkshire and the Humber, as well as the West Midlands.
The project will see rapid deployment teams, made up of offenders serving unpaid work sentences in Hull, called to swiftly clean-up graffiti, fly-tipping, vandalism and littering across the city.
The teams will attend and complete all work within 48 hours of a referral being made to the Probation Service.
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “Antisocial behaviour is a blight on our city and can leave neighbourhoods feeling un-cared for.
“The deployment teams will swiftly deal with instances of fly-tipping, vandalism and littering, helping to restore community pride and ensure offenders are made to give back to the communities they have offended against.
“By channelling community payback sentences into positive action, we send a clear message that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated. Together, a safer and cleaner environment can be created for all.”
Doug Sharp, head of waste management and street cleansing, said: “Project Clean Streets amplifies our commitment to restorative justice. Offenders will actively participate in the transformation of our neighbourhoods, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability.
RESTORING PRIDE: Project Clean Streets is under way
“Also, by supporting communities and cleaning up areas that look unloved, we hope residents will feel proud of where they live.
“By directing the deployment teams to locations that fall outside of the council’s cleansing remit, this will help keep areas tidy that would otherwise appear uncared for.”
Mervin Clarke, community payback operations manager for Hull and the East Riding, added: “The rollout of rapid deployment across Hull gives people on probation the chance to undertake work which offers reparation to communities across the city.
“The project makes a real difference to the places where our people live, and I am excited to see the project expand.”
For more information about the project, email loveyourstreetproject@hullcc.gov.uk
