Forum Topic

Calling streetwatchers

Sohme 10 years ago, the Council set up a voluntary group of residents called Streetwatchers. The idea was that they would keep a look out for flytipping, dumped rubbish and anything else on their street and report it on their own personal hot line to the Council.It worked well, but in recent years, Streetwatchers have been neglected by the Council and the amount of dumped rubbish has greatly increased.I am hoping to set up something similar and would love the original Streetwatchers to advise and guide and even better. There is a meeting shortly with Council officers. If you would would like to be there, pm. me. Jean, I've sent you an e mail. Any one else?

Maire Lowe ● 3873d18 Comments

Absolutely Philippa, we found the previous Leader of the Council was very much involved and responsive when we encountered problems.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3864d

It was in the plan that there would be notices as in Westminster saying when the waste and recycling collection was.The Leader of the Council at that time used to go walkabout in Acton and would and could see for himself what and where the problems were.  Always a good idea.

Philippa Bond ● 3864d

You and Yours had a piece on Litter today:http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06z9krw

Philippa Bond ● 3869d

It makes it harder for anyone to plead ignorance though, doesn't it?  Many would prefer unwanted stuff and dumping to just disappear but just whisking it away doesn't encouragement people to use the facilities provided or to take an responsibility.

Philippa Bond ● 3869d

Streetwatchers did organise "Dumping is Illegal" signs at strategic points but as you can see they are not very effective:-

Bob Crossley ● 3869d

A few years ago I did suggest to Streetwatchers that Ealing Council should follow the example in Hammersmith & Fulham where signs on lamp posts warned of fines for littering.Nothing happened!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3869d

Those are really good.  I think that Keep Britain Tidy also have a poster with eyes on it to deter people from allowing their dogs to foul.

Philippa Bond ● 3869d

These are really useful stickers that we were issued with once Helps put people off if they realise someone is watching.

Bob Crossley ● 3871d

The Council has Government money to licence private landlords.  I think this is where a lot of the problems come from.  Stuff that residents leave behind changes from being residential when they are there to being commercial waste when they leave and disposal of this is charged for whereas residential waste can be disposed of free by residents at Household Waste & Recycling Centres. Mattresses I believe are too difficult and expensive for many people to take with them.  So unfortunately often get left behind...

Philippa Bond ● 3872d

It is interesting to read the following:They are trialling a system of fines in Ealing Broadway  and we will be interested to hear how that is going.Perhaps they should have started in Acton High Street, the rubbish piled up on a daily basis close to the shops selling vegetables should be stopped! Everything seems to revolve around Ealing Broadway.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3872d

Thanks for all these responses. The Council has a number of ideas. They are trialling a system of fines in Ealing Broadway  and we will be interested to hear how that is going. They are also considering licensing private rentals, something which is being done in other Boroughs. There is some kind of allowance for setting up the system.We have a meeting arranged with Councillors and Officers so we will see how we get on. Please keep taking photos of rubbish near you. Evidence is everything.

Maire Lowe ● 3872d

Another point, the council should come down hard on those they find responsible for dumping rubbish.I am fed up seeing mattresses littering our streets, fine the landlords if they are responsible!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3872d

Brent Council some time ago told me they no longer have streetwatchers due to cutbacks, this was when I was trying to help a friend in Brent who was fed up having rubbish dumped on his doorstep! Actually they thought I was a councillor!This is a false economy because we streetwatchers volunteer our services and we do our but to help keep the streets clean but I would suggest they employ more Envirocrime Officers. We really can not be expected to advise the council times and places antisocial behavior happens, they do need people out there to ensure that Ealing is a cleaner area than at present.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3872d

Maire, to set up anything similar, you really will need to get the Council on your side!The responses I have received when pestering about something, all comment on the lack of Envirocrime officers to investigate matters. These people were such a help in the past, but now there are so few of them they have large areas to cover, and they just cannot cope.We need someone to be our contact within the Council - the general reporting is reasonably good, but it would be nice to address an email to someone in particular, not just 'Dear Streetwatchers' - as I currently do! Unfortunately with all the Council cutbacks, this is not likely to happen.....The problem of dumped rubbish needs to be addressed, but as no-one is ever spotted doing it, then nothing can be done about it. There seems to be a culture of: "let's just dump it in the street, someone else can then deal with it..." People don't seem to have any pride in the area in which they live.Will pm you regarding meeting.

Amanda Knights ● 3873d

Good for you Amanda, me too, but the whole exercise has been dumbed down I am sad to say.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3873d

I joined Streetwatchers many years ago too, and still report problems to the Council.As Jean says, we were appreciated by the previous administration. The conferences were attended by the Council Leader, Jason Stacey, and the relevant Council officers. They listened to us, and took ideas on board.The conferences have stopped - at the last one, the Leader - Julian Bell, didn't bother to attend.They changed our name to 'Neighbourhood Champions' - but then discarded us!Whilst things have gone downhill with the loss of our very helpful local Envirocrime Officers, and the change of priorities, the reporting does still work. I usually get a fairly quick reply to my emails, but the actioning by the refuse/streetcleaning contractors is much slower. I will still report fly-tipping, refuse etc. and keep on pestering until things are done!

Amanda Knights ● 3873d

When I became a streetwatcher some years ago, under the previous administration  I felt that we were appreciated, it was lovely to feel part of a voluntary team.We would attend the occasional conference at Ealing Town Hall where it gave us a chance to meet with other streetwatchers. Snacks or a meal was laid on, the atmosphere was very friendly.Sometime we would be offered a couple of complimentary tickets for one of the events in Walpole Park during the summer.When we encountered problems in this area the then leader of the Council Jason Sracey even visited the site and sorted matters out. He was quick to respond to emails and although he promised a camera at a particular 'Grot Spot' this idea went by the wayside when the new administration took over.When the system was changed and streetwatchers came under a different department we then found that our emails would begin TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN because that personal contact was lost.I once lived in what was called a 'Showcase Street' thanks to the residents and a previous Councillor, our efforts were rewarded. Now we have problems which have been reported to the Council on numerous occasions, but the problems persist.Reporting can be a bit of a hit and miss affair. On one occasion an item was flytipped in our street, duly reported, there it lay for over 1 week, unfortunately I tripped over this item and has a nasty fall. If it had been removed in the first place my injury would have been avoided.Acton had become a dumping ground for mattresses and discarded junk but who could blame streetwatchers for feeling that they are fighting a losing battle.I wonder how many streetwatchers (or neighbourhood champions) remain. I do think we are a neglected bunch.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3873d

Doesnt it work?I still email them on occasion and get a reasonably speedy response and action.I was streetwatcher 44 and rather proud of my low number.But I am on a career break from council-related meetings.

Sara Nathan ● 3873d