RESIDENTS of a South-ampton community are to see their streets spruced this week.

Millbrook is getting the Crime Reduction and Environment Week (CREW) treatment as part of the city council and police's bid to improve communities in the city.

The idea is to concentrate clean-up teams, crime-busting initiatives and education workshops in one area for a week in a bid to restore residents' pride in their surroundings.

The initiative helped win the city Respect status as one of 40 areas around the country which will be given extra cash to tackle antisocial behaviour. People living in Kendal Avenue will be seeing the effects of CREW this week.

Graffiti removal teams and maintenance officers will be out on the streets and workshops will be held at schools.

Representatives from various agencies will be working with schools, businesses and residents.

The area will be cleared of rubbish, overgrown hedges will be chopped back, broken fences repaired, graffiti removed and public places spruced up as part of the week-long drive.

Opportunity Councillor Liz Mizon, Cabinet member for housing, communities and neighbourhoods said: "This is a great opportunity for people around the Kendal Road area of Millbrook to work with us to improve the neighbourhood.

"If everyone gets involved and does their bit we can make a real difference and improve community pride.

"Today a meeting will be held between the public and their Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), beat officers, city patrol officers, neighbourhood wardens and community safety staff."

Youngsters from Mason Moore Primary School will also be visited by council and police officers who will then join them for a litter pick.

On Friday, the week will culminate in a special performance of the award-winning play - written and performed by Oaklands School pupils - Bang out of Order, which deals with issues youngsters are faced with.

The performance is by invitation only but members of the public wishing to attend can call Community Safety on 023 8083 3988.