Operation Team Sweep hits south Telford
More than a dozen agencies came together in a five-day blitz to tackle anti social problems, law breaking and other issues across south Telford.
The multi agency operation, which previously focused solely on the Woodside estate, was expanded to take in Sutton Hill, Madeley, Ironbridge and the Gorge this year.
Agencies involved included Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police, Madeley Parish Council, social landlords including Wrekin Housing Trust, Bromford Housing Group and the Bournville Village Trust, a dog warden and health visitors.
Led and organised by the Woodside Neighbourhood Management team, Operation Team Sweep saw the organisations sweep through the area in a proactive operation.
Activities included;
- Removing litter, fly-posters and graffiti
- Education welfare officers dealt with children absent from school
- Landlords tackled tenants in breach of their tenancies
- Bus shelters were cleaned
- Dog warden patrolled the areas
- Home safety risk assessments were carried out by fire crews
- A health needs survey was conducted
- Abandoned vehicles were removed
- A youth officer worked on the estate with young people
A police community support officer also conducted targeted patrols and police officers were in the area using Automated Number Plate Recognition equipment to identify vehicles with no insurance or MOT.
They also carried out extra patrols in the area to tackle other offenders.
Phil Heywood, Woodside Neighbourhood Manager, said last year’s week of action had been such a success it was decided to expand the area this year.
He said:
“All the agencies involved in Operation Team Sweep work hard in the south Telford area all year round to make it a better place to live. But the Team Sweep week gives us an opportunity to show our commitment to improving south Telford with a concerted effort.”
South Telford youngsters offered free karate sessions
Young people from south Telford are being offered the chance to take part in free karate sessions during this year’s summer holidays to encourage them to get fit and active. The new initiative, on offer to young people aged 12 to 18 from Woodside, Madeley and Sutton Hill, has been funded by grants from Telford & Wrekin Council and Madeley Parish Council.
The sessions were the idea of local Police Community Support Officer Richard Carrington and are being organised by the Woodside Neighbourhood Management team in conjunction with the Tweedale based Lee Matthews Black Belt Academy. Up to 50 young people will get the chance to take part in four free one hour sessions of karate during July and August.
Twenty five young people can apply to take part in sessions at the Academy on July 21, 23, 28 and 30 and a further 25 can attend sessions on August 18, 20, 27 and September 1. Anyone joining the Academy as a result of the taster sessions will get their kit and a DVD for free, worth a total of up to £100.
Woodside Neighbourhood Manager Phil Heywood said the scheme was an important part of the overall regeneration of the south Telford area, including Woodside. “We are working hard to improve the physical environment by improving shared community areas but we know that to create a healthy and sustainable community we need to encourage people to get fit and active.
“These karate sessions will give young people structured exercise and a taste of a skill they could learn for life. If an area like Woodside is going to prosper and improve we have to help the people there, including young people, improve their own health and lifestyle which is why this project is a good idea,” he added.
Lee Matthews said: “Having grown up in the south Telford area I was very keen to help with this project. Martial arts training is not only a great way to keep fit but also a fun way of making friends with likeminded people and increasing your confidence in general.”
Forms to register for the sessions will be available from the Park Lane Centre in Woodside, the Sutton Hill Community Centre and Madeley Court Sports Centre. For more information visit the Woodside Project Office at the Park Lane Centre or contact (01952) 588886.
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