Ian Clarke Tackling speeding drivers, removing graffiti and clearing litter will be among the projects in the latest phase of a clean-up campaign to make life better for people in Thetford.

Ian Clarke

Tackling speeding drivers, removing graffiti and clearing litter will be among the projects in the latest phase of a clean-up campaign to make life better for people in Thetford.

Operation Civic Pride is returning to the town from next week for the fifth year and a range of bodies such as police, fire service, councils, housing associations and community groups are joining forces with local people.

A roadshow is being held in King Street on Tuesday, 10am-4pm which will allow residents to ask questions and raise concerns.

On Sunday March 29 there will be community litter pickets and other events during the week will include litter awareness assemblies at the primary and middle schools across Thetford, having walks around estates to find needles, a high pressure hot water system to remove graffiti, a community speedwatch team at speeding hot-spots.

Thetford Safer Neighbourhood Team sgt Steve Burke said: “We all want to live and work in a clean and pleasant town. Litter, fly-tipping, criminal damage and graffiti have a negative impact, both to residents and visitors alike. Operation Civic Pride brings together the community of Thetford and agencies in a joint effort to clear the most affected locations.”

Stephen Askew, executive member for communities at Breckland Council said: “These projects not only encourage people to take pride in their communities, they result in real improvements which have a positive impact on people that live, work and visit the town.”

Contacts: Thetford Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0845 456 4567 or email sntthetford@norfolk.pnn.police.uk. Litter pick website: www.thebigtidyup.org.

Meanwhile, youngsters who scrawled graffiti across parts of Thetford are being made to clean up their acts and the areas of the town they defaced.

Three teenage boys, aged between 16 and 18, admitted causing a spate of damage during December and January after being tracked down by police.

Officers said about 130 “tags” had been daubed all over the town in 28 locations and described it as the worst outbreak of graffiti Thetford had seen.

Thetford Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) decided with the victims, Breckland Council, the youngsters and their parents that a restorative justice approach was the best way to tackle the issue.