THE fourth and final Operation Cleansweep in Middlesbrough got under way this week.

The scheme, co-ordinated by the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, will focus on the Grove Hill area. It has already been held in Hemlington, North Ormesby and Gresham.

In Hemlington, anti-social behaviour fell by 59 per cent, between May and June, following Operation Cleansweep, in Gresham it fell by 18 per cent, between June and July, and North Ormesby saw a 13 per cent decrease, between July and August.

Middlesbrough Council, Erimus Housing, Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade, South Tees Youth Offending Service and Teesside Probation Service are among the organisations taking part in the week long project.

Communities co-ordinator for the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, Rachel Beard, said: "We have had some really good reductions in crime and anti- social behaviour following this summer's Operation Cleansweeps and, hopefully, we can build on this to make Grove Hill our best yet.

"These operations are proof that partnership-working can really make a difference to communities."

The programme in Grove Hill will include additional police officers patrolling the area throughout the week, an abandoned vehicle amnesty, youth offending reparation work, fly-tipping enforcement action and the council's area care team will sweep every street.

The initiative will encourage community engagement. The Youth Inclusion Bus will offerfree 'MC-ing' and Playstation use. Street wardens will give children a chance to use remote control cars, a football tournament is planned and Paws, the street warden mascot, will greet the youngsters of Grove Hill.