CLEAN-UP teams and street wardens descended on a Colchester estate for a mini day of action.

A series of day-long blitzes by police, street cleaners and traffic wardens has taken place on estates including Highwoods, Greenstead and Monkwick this year.

Yesterday, they descended on St John’s ward.

Colchester council street wardens cleaned up graffiti and talked to residents, while a litter picking team and road and pavement sweepers combed the area for rubbish.

Paul Smith, ward councillor, said there was little demand for dawn raids by police or parking officers clamping cars, as seen elsewhere in the borough.

He said: “The police felt there would be rather less activity in St John’s than in other areas.

“We still want to do something for areas that do not warrant the full action day.”

Residents agreed there was little need for the scale of operations seen elsewhere, but appreciated the spruce up.

Stephen Child, 40 of St John’s Road, said: “It’s good here. The area is clean, but it’s just the back bits that need tidying up.

“I’ve only been in St John’s for the past five years but it has got better since I arrived.”

A Chalfont Road resident added: “We don’t get a lot of trouble at all, really.

“Sometimes you see litter around, but it’s quite a good area.”

Ray Gamble, also a ward councillor, said staff had targeted specific areas, such as the near the shops in St Christopher’s Road, on the recommendation of residents.

He said: “The councillors have been asked to come up with a list of places that particularly needed a litter pick and clean. Street Warden Sam Lancaster said: “We’ve been chatting with residents and discussing issues.

“Some have been concerned about rubbish and some have said how the anti-social behaviour has really calmed down.”