BASINGSTOKE police have launched a campaign to tackle crime in Buckskin, clean up the environment and encourage local people to help make it a more attractive place to live.

Working alongside other agencies including Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and trading standards officers, the initiative this week is targeting problems such as yobbish behaviour, graffiti and vandalism.

Sergeant Steve Allum, of Basingstoke police, who is co-ordinating the week, said: "Buckskin is an area with significant levels of crime and disorder and quite a few of the perpetrators live in the area.

"We'll be targeting the individuals who cause the problems."

Extra police officers have been drafted in to carry out high-visibility patrols in tandem with local community wardens.

Officers are also paying visits to offenders wanted for failing to pay fines imposed by the courts.

An early-morning blitz on Monday morning netted £500 in unpaid penalties.

Meanwhile, council staff are working to clear up litter, graffiti and fly posters and remove abandoned vehicles.

The firefighters wll be visiting houses to carry out safety checks, trading standards officers are focusing on stopping sales of alcohol and cigarettes to under-age youngsters and the council dog warden is rounding up strays.

The initiative is the first to take place on such a large scale in Basingstoke and is part of a wider series of Crime Reduction Environment Weeks (CREWs) across Hampshire.

Julie Young, community safety inspector for Basingstoke police, said: "We want to send out a clear message that crime and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated."

She said the approach is not intended to be a quick fix and hopes people from across the community - from school children to the elderly - will help form a focus group to highlight concerns and find solutions.

Sgt Allum added: "We want people to come forward with ideas, not just moans and groans."

Ideas can be raised at drop-in sessions at the Ridgeway Centre, in Blackdown Close, Buckskin, Basingstoke, today and tomorrow, between 9am and 5pm.

First published: Wednesday, April 6, 2005