AN operation to clean up a crime-ridden street is proving a success, according to police.

Operation Stonegate was launched last year in York Road, Southend, following a number of stabbings.

Police teamed up with Southend Council to stem a tide of antisocial behaviour, including tackling flytipping.

Street pastors, BID Rangers, private sector housing, regulatory services, the Youth Offending Service, South Essex Homes and Family Mosaic are also part of the initiative.

Patrols were stepped up in the area and police have continued to monitor the progress of the operation.

Sgt Ian Hughes said: “We worked with our partner agencies for a day in York Road. There were a number of agencies taking part, including waste contractor Veolia, Southend Sparkle and landlords. We were continuing the work we have been doing for the past year or so.

“Our primary focus was on the environmental side of things, to tackle any litter or flytipping.”

Sgt Hughes added: “We’ve been engaging with landlords to see how the area has improved and we got lots of positive feedback. There’s still work to do and we will continue to work with residents.”

The initiative is being led by the Southend Community Safety Partnership, which has called on the Government to give Essex Police more funding to tackle the increase of violent crime in the borough.

The partnership launched the operation last year with the first of its community days of action to support York Road residents in their bid to rid the area of antisocial behaviour.

In addition, 12 hour patrols were carried out after two men were stabbed in the street in October last year and a mobile police station was torched.

A council spokesman said: “The council continues to support Operation Stonegate.

“On the latest day of action, the council’s waste contractor worked with volunteers from the council’s Make Southend Sparkle initiative to remove fly-tipped waste and bulky goods from local properties.

Make Southend Sparkle was launched by the council last week and runs until Sunday, July 23

It is supporting Keep Britain Tidy’s Love Parks Week - a week that encourages communities to demonstrate how important local parks are to them.