Action taken on vandals after spate of antisocial behaviour

Salford’s Community Safety Partnership has taken robust action against vandals who have been blighting a local community.

Housing provider Salix Homes has united with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Salford City Council to tackle antisocial behaviour and vandalism on the London Street and Lissadel Street estates in Kersal.

Salix Homes officers have carried out a major clean-up of the neighbourhood which has been plagued by fly-tipping, vandalism and youths starting deliberate fires.

The housing association and the local authority have been working closely with residents to address the issues and GMP will be carrying out extra patrols in the area to catch youths causing anti-social behaviour or committing criminal offences.

An area of land on the estate, which was once a hotspot for fly-tipping and deliberate fires, is also being transformed into a wildflower garden that the whole community can enjoy.

The crime fighting organisations have been working together to identify the culprits and have issued Acceptable Behaviour Agreements (ABAs) to eight young people who have caused antisocial behaviour and damage around the estates.

New CCTV has also been installed.

An ABA is not legal action but it is a contract between the partner organisations and the person involved, or a parent/guardian, which sets out the problem and includes a promise that the individual will not behave in this way again – or legal action will be taken.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes said: “We know the large majority of people take great pride in their communities. However, there is a small minority who act irresponsibly and cause an unsightly mess and a considerable amount of damage.

“Rest assured, our neighbourhood and environmental services team are working hard, not just in this neighbourhood, but in all our communities to maintain and improve them. But we need everyone’s help in taking care of these areas, reducing flytipping and littering and reporting crime, as it’s everyone’s responsibility.”

Sergeant Mike Barton, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “Littering and fly-tipping is not only an issue in this particular area in Salford, it is a growing problem. Mess like this has a big impact not only on the look of an area but on the local community and how they feel about where they live.

“The fact that this area has been cleaned and cleared up is a great reminder of how important it is to report these sorts of issues. Without the reports and complaints that were received by the various partners involved, the area might have continued to deteriorate.

“Also it reiterates that this sort of behaviour won’t be tolerated. Treating an area like this is not acceptable and local communities shouldn’t have to put up with it. I encourage people to speak up if they are worried about issues like this, that way something can be done to revive the area.”

Councillor David Lancaster, Salford’s lead member for environment and community safety, said: “Residents told us in the council’s annual budget survey that they want a clean and safe city and that anti social behaviour, including flytipping, blights lives and communities.

“We hear them loud and clear and we are responding. There is no excuse for poor behaviour, litter or flytipping and this shows if we all work together, take responsibility for our own areas and report problems they can be tackled and we can make a positive change.”

Salix Homes tenants can report an issue through its easy online report system: www.salixhomes.org/report-issue and find out more about their local Love Your Neighbourhood teams by visiting www.salixhomes.org/love-your-neighbourhood

We’re recruiting Community Connectors to help us shape the future of our services and instil pride into our neighbourhoods.

Community Connectors will provide a voice for our neighbourhoods and give us an insight into what issues are most important for you and your neighbours.

If you’re interested in volunteering as a Community Connector, or to find out more go towww.salixhomes.org/communityconnector