A ONCE deprived and Crime plagued area of Bolton has won an award for fighting back. Reporter, Chris Gough, went behind the scenes to meet the team that changed Great Lever.

LESS than three years ago Great Lever had its fair share of problems. Many residents felt unsafe in their homes, they believed crime was rife, drugs were an issue and litter plagued the streets.

The easy way out would have been to move from the area, but instead of bowing to the blights of their neighbourhood, residents decided to fight back.

The Great Lever Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder team (GLNMP) was launched in 2002 with the aim of reclaiming the streets.

And on Thursday night the team's hard work was realised when it was awarded the Government "Liveability Award" for its Safe and Clean Charter which saw residents, services and agencies join together to combat crime, anti social behaviour, litter and fly tipping.

The award is financed by regeneration cash.

Chairman of GLNMP, Cllr Margaret Clare, said: "I'm absolutely delighted we have won the award. We are all really pleased with the result."

Amina Jeewa, Assistant Neighbourhood Manager said: "Receiving the award is amazing. We are just one organisation from about 70 Neighbourhood Management Pathfinders and New Deal for Communities across England eligible to enter nominations for the awards. To be selected is a true testament to the hard work from everyone involved.

"The whole ethos around the neighbourhood management is community involvement and this is an extremely positive example for the rest of the borough."

Many of the problems in Great Lever centred around the derelict railway line near Rupert Street and Pennington Road, which for years was used as a dumping ground and regular meeting point for drug users.

But now it is being restored as a community amenity and the GLNMP has secured a Heritage Lottery grant for the project.

The Safe aspect of the charter deals with crime and community safety and develops projects with the neighbourhood.

Since it was launched, the GLNMP has successfully applied to magistrates' courts for anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) against trouble makers and residents - many of whom were once too scared to speak out - have gave evidence in court.

The police presence in the area has been boosted with a dedicated Police Community Support Officer, who keeps a high profile and acts a point of contact for local people.

Grahame Harwood, the Safer, Stronger Communities Officer for GLNMP, said: "As part of the charter we wanted to empower the residents of Great Lever to have the knowledge and the confidence when dealing with crime.

"We have set up a number of programmes in conjunction with the police such as 'Smart Water' which has seen household valuables being marked with indelible ink so that if they are stolen and retrieved by the Police, they can be identified and returned to their owners.

"There have also been 'memo minders' set up for vulnerable people.

"These are devices that are fitted to the front doors of elderly and vulnerable people and they remind them to not answer the front door without checking for identification."

Great Lever was also plagued with litter and graffiti problems and recycling levels did not meet the set government standards. They tackled enironmental issues through a Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team, (NEAT) to combat graffiti, litter and manage wildlife.

Stan Mitchell, NEAT Manager said: "The environment around Great Lever has changed radically.

"We have set up projects that have involved pupils from local schools taking part in clean ups and we demonstrated our graffiti power washer on the disused railway line.

"Our message is to educate the children and residents about respecting their environment and teaching them the importance of keeping their area clean.

GLNMP was presented with the award last night at the Hotel Novotel in London.

Neighbourhood Management covers 8000 residents and 4000 households and receives £500,000 funding each year.

Great Lever Contracts:

* Local Community Police Team: 0161 856 5679

* Crimestoppers: 0800 555111

* NEAT Team: 01204 338778

* Sharps Hotline (call to report discarded syringes): 0800 731 9835

* Environmental Education, Awareness and Enforcement Unit: 01204 336929

* For more information on the Great Lever Neighbourhood Management visit www.greatlever.co.uk