POLICE and council workers are carrying out a blitz on crime and litter in an attempt to restore residents' pride in their estate.

The Hardwick housing estate, in Stockton, has been targeted in Operation Clean Sweep - a clean-up of trouble makers and rubbish.

The campaign to clear the streets of crime, litter and graffiti - and cut down on associated problems of anti-social behaviour - began earlier this year in the town's Newtown ward.

Inspector Tariq Ali, of Cleveland Police, said extra foot patrols would be in the area and both officers and the council's enforcement team would be issuing fixed penalty notices for any offences they come across.

He said: "The message we want to put across is that people do not have to put up with damage to their properties and that littering and graffiti are unacceptable."

He said there has been positive feedback from local residents and added: "No one wants to live in areas where rubbish litters the streets and graffiti is left untouched. It attracts crime and vandalism and a staggering 30 per cent of all reported crime in the Stockton area is criminal damage.

"By cleaning things up, bringing pride and respect back to the streets and ensuring wherever possible offenders are taken to court, we can improve life considerably for people in the community."

Councillor Steve Nelson, the council's cabinet member for the environment, welcomed the operation.

He said: "Graffiti, fly-tipping and litter are not only an eyesore, they are offences which affect residents' quality of life.

"An important part of this operation is to make sure that this area remains a cleaner, more pleasant place to live."