Anti-crime fight in Whitton gets double boost.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2003

Lib Dem Councillor for Whitton Gina MacKinney

Two new initiatives to aid the crime fight in Whitton are being launched.

Firstly, a 24-hour blitz on crime and anti-social behaviour will take place this Friday (20 June). At the same time, an appeal is being launched for people in Whitton to help set up a new Police Liaison Group to give residents a "voice" on community safety issues.

The 24-hour anti-crime drive in Whitton will begin from midnight on Thursday and is part of "Operation Cleansweep" – a Council and police initiative aimed at combating the diverse forms of anti-social behaviour and reducing the fear of crime.

Eight such operations are planned in the borough this year. This will be the third. Successful blitzes have already been held in Twickenham and East Sheen.

The initiative in Whitton will tackle issues as diverse as graffiti, litter, illegal dumping, under-age drinking, offensive behaviour and fare dodging.

The operation has been masterminded by the Community Safety Partnership, involving the Council, police, and agencies including the Richmond Housing Partnership.

Whitton Councillor, Gina MacKinney said "This is a brilliant initiative by the police, local people and groups and the Council. There is serious concern about crime in the borough and this will help reduce it."

Lib Dem Group Leader, Serge Lourie, said "The Liberal Democrats in the borough entirely support the Community Safety Partnership's efforts to reduce crime in the borough."

"This is not just a matter for the police or the Council alone. It is a matter for the whole local community"

To coincide with the initiative, the independently-run Police Community Consultative Group is appealing for Whitton residents to help set up a Police Liaison Group in the area, which would give local people a new "voice" on community safety issues.

The group would meet around six times a year, and enable residents to air their views and any concerns on crime and policing matters.

Anyone who would like to volunteer for the group, or requires further information, should call Juliette Taylor at Richmond Council, on 020 8891 7155. Alternatively, come down to Whitton High Street on Friday (20 June), between11am and 4pm, when Council officers will be on hand to answer any questions.