Cops lead clean-up on grime

CORNWALL'S top cops swapped their office desks on Friday to help clean up one of the county's most deprived housing estates.

Six senior officers, led by the area commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Boarland, spent the day clearing away litter and rubbish at Pengegon.

Claire Arymar of the Neighbourhood Office at Pengegon gets to grips with an old TV set that has been dumped beside a pathway.
Pengegon resident Carolyn Dennis hard at work clearing rubbish during the clean-up.
WPC Tanya Charles carries away some of the dumped old car tyres.
Police Inspector Lyn Gooding carries away old car tyres that have been dumped.
Pengegon resident Nathan Dawson loads up a van with rubbish collected at Pengegon.
Martin Webb of Volunteer Cornwall helps pick up rubbish.
Police Inspector Mark Bolt emerges from the undergrowth at Pengegon as he clears some brambles away during the clean-up.
Snatch squad: Pengegon residents, from left, Matt Longman, Julie Whitmarsh and Bob Harrison, during the big clean-up.
Some of the substantial items of rubbish that included old car tyres, power tools and TV sets that have been dumped at Pengegon.
Getting tyred – Pengegon resident David Webber helps out.
Working together at Pengegon are from left, Mark James of Cornwall Council, resident, Kath Clifford, and PCSO Andy Richards.
Chief Superintendent of Devon and Cornwall Police, Chris Boarland, searches for rubbish in the undergrowth.
Claire Arymay of the Pengegon Neighbourhood Office (left) with Inspector Lyn Gooding during the clean up at Pengegon. for David Green. Ref : TRGH20120127A-001_C
Taking part in the clean-up at Pengegon are Liz Bracelin of Coastline Housing and Alec Robertson, leader of Cornwall Council.

They joined residents and representatives from other agencies in giving the Camborne estate an early spring clean.

Mr Boarland said they were supporting the voluntary sector, which was becoming more essential in times of austerity.

"It also gives us a chance to listen to residents' concerns and support them in making the area tidier.

"I spend time looking at facts and figures but this is an excellent way of talking directly to local people."

He added: "Some eyebrows have been raised in policing circles but residents have been delighted to see us here."

Inspector Lyn Gooding, senior officer for Camborne-Redruth, said: "It shows we are in touch with our community and are prepared to work with local people." Pulled from the undergrowth were old tyres, mattresses, furniture, televisions and even a wetsuit.

Neighbourhood manager Claire Arymar said she was delighted by the police response.

"This is an estate where attitudes to crime have changed by 360 degrees. It is now consistently the lowest in the Camborne-Redruth area.

"Everyone has done a fantastic job and they all deserve a big thanks."

Local PCSO Andy Richards added: "A lot of the residents turned up to join in which is great."

The event was organised through Volunteer Cornwall, dedicated to promoting volunteering in the county.

Mr Boarland said the clean-up was the police way of supporting their extremely worthwhile work.

"Our neighbourhood policing team has worked extremely hard to forge improved links with local residents and this event offered us the chance to hear the community's views."

Martin Webb, council support officer for Volunteer Cornwall, said: "This was one of the regular clean-up days we hold on the estate."