Environmental action taken

Areas of Potters Bar will be cleaned up following an operation by Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Council, fire and police officers joined forces at an Environmental Action Day (EAD) on Wednesday, 14 April, and a Spotlight event on Friday.

The aim of an EAD is for relevant organisations to identify environmental issues such as graffiti and flytipping by walking around a particular area.  Spotlight events, which involve the same organisations setting up a mobile police station in the area, take place soon after an EAD to give a visible presence in the community so that residents can talk to officers face-to-face about any concerns they have.

During the EAD, graffiti was identified in Mutton Lane, Hunters Close and Willow Way.  Flytipping was also found in Mutton Lane as well as Dove Lane and Hayes Avenue.  In addition, a number of shopping trollies were found along the way which Tesco has agreed to collect.

Valerie Kane, Community Safety Officer at Hertsmere Borough Council, said: "The Environmental Action Day was organised so relevant officers from the CDRP could see firsthand what needs to be addressed in the community.  The issues we found have been reported to the responsible organisation to deal with.

"Around 50 local people came to the Spotlight event in Oakmere Park car park and received advice and information on community safety and crime prevention.  They also gave their views on what the police should concentrate on in Potters Bar.  A number of children come along too who were given a tour of a fire engine."

If you have any community safety concerns please contact Hertsmere Borough Council on 020 8207 7801, email partnership.support@hertsmere.gov.uk or why not go along to the next Potters Bar Crime Reduction Group meeting which takes place on 20 May at 7pm at The Wyllyotts Centre, Drakes Lane.  Meetings take place four times a year and are open to all residents and businesses in the town.