Write a commentMembers of the PSNI Newry Neighbourhood Policing Team, joined up with partner organisations and local youths at the weekend to help clean up the Newry Canal Towpath.
It formed part of an ongoing partner project to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area and turn the Towpath into a community safe area and involved Newry Neighbourhood Policing Team, Newry Maritime Association, Newry and Mourne Council, Newry and Mourne Community Safety Partnership and local youth clubs.
Officers teamed up with young volunteers from Kingdom, Ballyholland, Bosco and Greater Belfast Road youth clubs to clear the area around the towpath of rubbish and litter.
Constable Dougan, Newry NPT, explained: "Over the past few years Newry Towpath has become a congregation point for young people and a target for incidents of criminal damage, underage drinking and littering. The aim of this project is to send out the clear message that antisocial behaviour will no longer be tolerated in this area.
"Over the past few weeks the partner organisations have worked hard to organise the Towpath Clean Up Day and have received lots of support from the local community. An information leaflet on the initiative was designed and printed by the Community Safety Partnership and Newry Maritime Association delivered the leaflet to homes close to the Towpath.
"The clean up day was the latest effort in an ongoing campaign by the Maritime Association to maintain and preserve land along the canal. To date they have cleaned land along the canal from Dublin Bridge to Ballybot Bridge and have recovered 60 shopping trolleys from the canal.
"The day was a great success with the Towpath looking more inviting and cleaner. All the volunteers gave 100 per cent and were rewarded with a lunch at the Town Hall.
"We hope that by working with the community we can ensure the Towpath is maintained as a safe and clean family friendly area which can be enjoyed by everyone."
