New enforcement team blitzing streets of Sunderland in crack down on littering, fly-tipping and and antisocial behaviour.

Sunderland City Council said the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team was set up in response to residents' calls for a clean green city.

It also comes after the Echo launched its Clean Streets campaign – aimed at encouraging people to keep Sunderland tidy and report grot spots – in response to a reader survey which showed litter and dumping were some of the biggest bugbears in the city.

Fly-tipping and illegal dumping has seen a surge across the country during the pandemic, with a number of sickening incidents recorded in Sunderland during lockdown in particular.

The new enforcement team brings antisocial behaviour and environmental enforcement officers together, which will operate new extended hours, including weekends.

Team members will also be equipped with high-tech body cameras to help resolve disputes and improve protection for staff.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We asked our residents earlier this year what were their top priorities for the city."What came out loud and clear was that they wanted was to see more enforcement activity."That's why we've set up this new Neighbourhood Enforcement Team to clamp down on the irresponsible few who blight our city by dropping litter and fly-tipping waste."We had some horrific examples over the summer of litter being strewn across our award winning beaches and parks and waste being dumped in city streets and rural locations."So this is a real concerted effort to do something about it by having more enforcement officers out and about on the streets, including at weekends, and wardens patrolling and issuing fines for littering and dog control issues including dog fouling in busy high footfall areas, as well as parks and cemeteries."Cllr Miller added: "We want our city and neighbourhoods to be places that people are proud of and want to look after which is why we've reorganised the way to we work so we can be more responsive to environmental crimes and anti social behaviour."This is about listening to our residents and tackling the issues that matter to them most."

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