Community joins forces to clean up Peterborough residential area

A community has joined forces to clean up an area of central Peterborough affected by crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The event, which was held on Saturday (1 June) in Century Square, Millfield, was organised as part of the Safer Streets 5 fund, and ‘Alliance’ – part of the Home Office’s Clear Hold Build initiative to regenerate an area affected by crime.

Twenty people turned out to tackle the area, including the local policing team, Peterborough City Council’s communities team, Accent Nene Housing, Litter Wombles, Neighbourhood Watch, Community First and residents.

A total of 31 bags of litter were collected, mainly food and drink wrappers and broken glass, as well as drugs paraphernalia such as needles and syringes which were all recovered and safely disposed of.

Items including computer monitors, metal bars, broom handles and a knife were also found in undergrowth.

 

 

The litter pick was part of the ‘clear’ phase of the Clear, Hold, Build initiative – named locally as ‘Alliance’ – to regalvanise the local community and ensure a safer, better place for residents and businesses by tackling organised crime.

Amanda Large, Safer Streets 5 Community Resilience Officer for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “It was great to see so many people join us and give up their time to support this community event, everyone’s efforts were really appreciated.

“This litter pick was one of many things we have been doing as part of the Safer Streets initiative and Alliance to tackle neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.”

 

 

Community First, a Peterborough-based charity working in Gladstone, Millfield and Lincoln Road to better the area, have been a vital part in the Alliance project.

Following the weekend’s event, work will commence alongside the local housing associations to develop a residents’ group and local space for the community to use.

Mohammed Saeed BEM, Chairman of Community First Peterborough, said: “Working with housing associations who have the community at heart is much needed.

“There is an opportunity to develop some space into something which will be beneficial to the residents and all partners involved in the Alliance project, so I shall very much look forward to working with them on this.”

You can read more about ‘Alliance’ on the force’s dedicated campaign webpage.

More information about the Safer Streets Fund can be found on the government's website.