Almost 40 sackfuls of rubbish were collected from the canal towpath in Southall as council staff, police officers and community volunteers joined forces for a clear up day.

The council’s Safer Communities team worked with the police and the Canal and River Trust to organise the clean up on Friday 26 October. Volunteers from Southall Community Alliance and A Rocha, an environmental charity based in Southall also joined in the clean-up.

As well as collecting rubbish, Safer Communities and the Police used the event to look for evidence of anti-social behaviour, drug use and knife crime, and to make sure rough sleepers at the site were directed to appropriate support.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for community services and safety, said: "I want to thank everyone who pitched in. It was heartening to see their determination to make this a more attractive and safer space for the community to enjoy."

Chief Inspector Colin Wingrove from Safer Southall Project, said: "There’s a great community spirit in Southall as residents who gave up their time and braved the cold weather proved. My officers also met with residents who are keen to set up their own Neighbourhood Watch groups."

"By making it a cleaner and safer place to visit it will become less of a target for criminal and anti-social behaviour."