Older residents are joining forces with Merton Council to combat environmental problems in the borough by signing up as members of the new Street Watch scheme, which was launched at the first Senior Merton meeting on Wednesday 5 November 2003.

Street Watch is a new scheme where members work in partnership with the council by acting as the eyes and ears of the borough. Street Watch Members are encouraged to look out for and report a variety of environmental problems ranging from abandoned vehicles and graffiti to broken streetlights and stray dogs. Problems can be reported by phone, post or by logging the problem through the Internet. Information about what to look out for and exactly what to report is provided in a short booklet that is provided free to all Street Watch participants.

Over 20 residents signed up to be Street Watch members at the first Senior Merton meeting. The scheme is currently being aimed at residents over 55 but may be rolled out to other age groups in 2004.

Councillor Linda Kirby, Cabinet Member for Environmental Quality, said: “I am delighted that so many residents have already signed up as Street Watch members and will be working with the council to make our borough safe, clean and green.

“I urge more older residents to take pride in their community and sign up as a member by contacting 020 8545 3077.”

The idea for the Street Watch scheme came out of a Council review of opportunities for older people in Merton. A similar scheme, called Street Leaders, was piloted in St Helier and the results of the pilot were used when planning Street Watch.

The Senior Merton meeting was organised by Merton Council in partnership with Merton Association of Pensioners (MAP). As well as featuring the launch of the Street Watch scheme the meeting was an opportunity for residents over 55 and groups working with Merton’s older people to share views, events and news and to meet council representatives.

To find out more about becoming a Street Watch Member, contact 020 8545 3077.

Ends