Operation Clean Sweep

Fire safety, nuisance parking, noisy neighbours and dog fouling were just some of the issues tackled when Dover's fourth Operation Clean Sweep took place on Wednesday (20 November 2013).

The initiative, led by the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), focussed on Dover Town and the seafront and saw many agencies working together, including Dover District Council, Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service, along with Kent Community Wardens and Educational Welfare Officers.

Issues the agencies were looking out for included parking violations, rubbish, graffiti, crime, fire safety, illegal immigration, trading standards, housing concerns, and children missing from education.

The operation was also an opportunity to speak with residents, businesses and passers-by to find out what their concerns were so that issues can be addressed.

As it was Alcohol Awareness Week and Road Safety Week, a community engagement exercise was run from the Market Square where officers from the Community Safety Unit, KCC Wardens, Kent Fire and Rescue and Kent Police spoke to residents about these topics, and any other community concerns they wished to raise.

Enforcement action was taken where necessary and agencies will make repeat visits to premises where there were concerns. Council representatives recorded issues reported by residents and businesses so that action can be taken.

Dover's first Operation Clean Sweep took place in May 2011 in London Road. These multi-agency operations regularly take place across Kent.

Acting Sergeant Ian Belsey said: "It's good for different partners to come together to address the community's priorities. We want the community to know we are all there for them and to see us working together to identify and tackle the issues raised. Each agency benefited from the community engagement during the operation and gained valuable intelligence, which will help them continue to support the local community."

Heidi Sutcliffe, Partnership Officer with the Dover District CSP based at DDC said: "The day was a great success. Turnout from partner organisations was impressive, and a high number of residents and visitors were met, listened to and given advice and reassurance on community safety issues. The day was not just about enforcement, it was also about listening to our communities, and it achieved exactly that."