Crew's control

TODAY it is a vibrant multicultural area in which the community takes great pride. But not so long ago it was an inner-city suburb of Southampton where prostitution and crime were rife.

But it is an area which is still not without its problems.

This week Newtown and Nicholstown became the focus of Southampton City Council's Crime Reduction and environment Week (CREW).

The squads moved into the area to clean up the environment and crack down on antisocial behaviour at every level.

The council's community safety team joined the city patrol team, street cleansing, housing, neighbourhood wardens, highways, leisure services and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to sweep through the area with an organised clean-up operation.

Meanwhile, the police executed search warrants and responded to incidents of antisocial behaviour and prostitution.

Officers from the DVLA car licensing department were involved, tracking down motoring offenders with a new automated number plate recognition vehicle that identifies stolen cars and disqualified drivers.

The council's graffiti removal and anti-litter team will remove graffiti from council-owned properties and offer advice to private sector residents.

CREW weeks have been planned to run across city hotspots every two months in response to demands to reduce street crime and tidy up the city.

The city's antisocial behaviour manager Jane Mielniczek said: "This is our fourth CREW week. The first one we held was in October in Sholing.

"Then in March we had one in Swaythling and in May we held one in Lordshill and Lordswood.

"The weeks have turned out to be a great success.

"As well as graffiti and flytipping removal in Newtown, we have held litter pick-ups, test purchasing of alcohol and testing of hygiene standards in food outlets.

"Although we ask community groups to get involved with the week, we have to have an element of surprise about it.

"We don't want to give too much notice of it happening because those who commit criminal and environment offences will moderate their behaviour.

"It is an inclusive event but we do have to limit what we can share.

"At the start of the week we e-mailed all the community leaders and also posted leaflets to residents to let them know what was happening.

Future areas will include Millbrook and Weston. Residents' groups, community groups and children in these areas will be invited to get involved and help clean up their communities.

"CREW helps to encourage communities to take ownership of their area," said Jane.

"So far we have not received any negative feedback about the scheme as the communities can see that things have been done.

"When we started CREW we had a couple of concerns.

"Firstly, that the activities such as car crime and flytipping that we are trying to combat would shift out to surrounding areas.

"Secondly, that as soon as we have cleared up an area, it will revert straight back as soon as we have left.

"Fortunately neither of these things have happened.

"Before we move into an area all the agencies involved will meet to share the key issues, so we can focus the week.

"So far it has proved to be a very successful scheme and we intend to grow and learn from the weeks that we have held so far."

Council Cabinet member for communities and regeneration Councillor Liz Mizon said: "Crew Week can really give an area a lift. It is a great opportunity for everyone to do their bit - sort the front garden, help with a local clear-up, and get those bits and pieces to the dump.

"It is when we all work together that we make the greatest difference."