London's environment chiefs met today to discuss how to tackle enviro-crime in the Capital.

Minster for London Tony McNulty, MP, was the keynote speaker at the Association of London Government (ALG) conference.

Government and community leaders discussed the problems of abandoned vehicles, litter, and graffiti, fly tipping and dumping. Ways of enhancing London's environment by the design of streets and open spaces, and with increasing community involvement, were also examined.

Every year abandoned vehicles, which are dumped and then often torched in London boroughs, cost the capital £44.5 million to clear.

London boroughs annually spend £7million cleaning up graffiti.

The boroughs have to increase the amount of materials recycled from the current 359,000 tonnes to 1.24million tonnes by 2005, if they are to meet Government targets.

The ALG is behind the 8th London Local Authorities Bill which seeks greater powers for boroughs to take action against those who conduct acts of antisocial behaviour.

Chair of ALG's Transport and Environment Committee Philip Portwood said: "The mindless actions of people who commit enviro-crime by abandoning their vehicles, dropping litter of dabbling graffiti ruin the quality if life for every member of the community."

April 29, 2003 16:30