THE leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Alan Weinberg, has laid down the gauntlet to criminals, flytippers, himself and to every other resident in the borough.

Promising to be tough on grime and crime, and the causes of grime and crime, Cllr Weinberg launched the council's new iniative to make Redbridge a greener, cleaner, safer borough, where people can walk attractive streets without fear of being mugged.

But to make it work Cllr Weinberg, who was made leader of the council after May's local election, is calling on local people to help tackle the borough's problems.

He said: "Together we will drive crime and grime out of this borough. We can't do it without the public and the public can't do it without the help of the council and the police.

"We are setting out our stall with the Streets Ahead initiative. Throughout the election campaign we were told by people what they wanted: cleaner, safer streets. This is what we all want.

"We are doing this for the benefit of local people, not for a little bit of kudos or a plaque that I or one of my colleagues unveil.

"It is all for the benefit of the people and we will be judged on the results."

In the new campaign, the council will work with police, businesses and voluntary organisations to tackle anti-social behaviour, such as noise nuisance and public disorder.

They will also target crime and the fear of crime, encourage recycling and greater use of bicycles as alternative transport, and launch community projects to clean up grime hotspots.

Cllr Weinberg added: "Streets Ahead is about tackling the fundamental issues affecting the quality of life of local people.

"It aims to put residents back in the driving seat on the issues that matter most to them."

Streets Ahead competitions will be run by the council later in the year. If you want to get involved in Streets Ahead visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/streetshead or email streetsahead@redbridge.gov.uk