Clean sweep of Margate

More than 100 properties in Cliftonville and Margate have been targeted
as part of the latest Operation Clean Sweep.

The council led operation involved officers from the council’s
enforcement, private sector housing, parking and street scene teams, as
well as Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, UK Border Agency,
Community Payback, KCC Education and Warden teams and volunteers from
the Pipeline youth service.

Carried out over two days (Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 April), the
operation targeted some of the most vulnerable streets in Margate and
involved a range of inspections within residential and commercial
properties, deep cleansing and clearing of known problem areas and
searches of individuals.

As well as identifying 23 children out of school, the team uncovered
nine properties without fire detection, three of which were classed as a
high risk, another three properties were found to be in a very poor
condition, one additional home was found with bed bugs and illegal
working was identified in two commercial properties.   Individuals were
also targeted with stop and searches carried out, four people had
alcohol confiscated and fixed penalty notices were handed out.

As a result of the action 15 parking fines were issued, one fixed
penalty notice was served for on street drinking and three section 46
notices were served to properties to enforce rubbish clearance. 

Community Safety Officer, Jessica Bailey, said: “Once again, Clean
Sweep has tackled a wide range of problems that impact directly on local
people’s lives. It’s an excellent, ongoing, example of how well
different organisations can work together to help improve neighbourhoods
for both residents and businesses.   By taking these agencies out into
the community, we are able to tackle a number of issues, which may have
previously gone undetected.  The success of the operation is not only
down to the hard work of all of the officers involved, but is also
reliant on the valuable information we receive from members of the
public.  I would urge local people to continue to report any incidents
in their area to ensure we continue to target the problems that matter
most to them”.

For more information, or to report any concerns, please call 01843
577737.