East Thames Housing Group has started a zero-tolerance policy on car dumping on its estates in London Docklands in a bid to tackle antisocial behaviour and nuisance.
The area has been "plagued" by fly tipping, graffiti and abandoned cars, which often end up being set alight by vandals, the association said.

The housing association – which manages 600 homes on the Isle of Dogs in east London – has set up a neighbourhood renewal team.

This allocates cash for for small but vital improvements through a new fast-track spending approval system.

The team's action plan includes sending out a clean-up squad of caretakers to clear fly-tipped rubbish, remove graffiti and carry out environmental work such as grass cutting. Illegally parked cars will be clamped and removed.

Caretakers will work with residents to spot abandoned cars more quickly so the police can be notified and cars towed away before they become a target for vandals.

To improve tenant participation and involvement, East Thames has opened a district office for the Isle of Dogs to complement its weekly surgery in the area.

Barbara Costa is one of two community housing officers on the island. She said: "Tenants are now starting to take ownership of their neighbourhood. If we can help to make it a more attractive place, people are more likely to want to keep it that way."

Source

Housing Today