Published: Tuesday, 27th May, 2008 05:00
Children on litter patrol
By Rose Harland
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Children from New Christ Church Primary School look out for the environment
CHILDREN showed they care about their area by going on the lookout for litter and graffiti.
Eight children aged nine to 11 from New Christ Church of England School in Milman Road, Katesgrove, went for a walk to spot the problems.
Headteacher Maria Soulsby said: “This came out of the Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) meeting, which is all adults and I just thought it could be good for the children involved. Children are very environmentally conscious and this is a way of getting them involved in decision-making and making their voice heard.”
The group spotted overhanging trees, litter, broken fences and graffiti, which was photographed and added to the council’s graffiti database, to help identify repeat offenders.
Patrick Grimes, 10, said: “I don’t really care about long grass, but graffiti’s not good if it’s in the wrong place. It would be good if there was a place to do it.”
The Environmental Visual Audit (EVA) on May 16 was the first to be carried out in Katesgrove and involved Police Community Support Officers as well as Reading Borough Council environmental liason officer Rob Oldham and waste support officer Matt Dady.
The audit is supported by the NAG, which meets every month to discuss community concerns with the police.
The visual audits are due to be carried out every month and the council street care team will follow up the problems identified.
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