Some of Cumbria's leading public organisations are joining together to launch a new campaign which aims to make the county a better place to live in.

Monday August 21st will see the launch of the Cleaner, Greener, Safer campaign, which is being co-ordinated by the county council, several district councils and the police. 

It will see a series of initiatives aimed at improving the environment and making the streets cleaner and safer.

Among the iniatives are:

- A plastic bag amnesty outside the old town hall in Carlisle on Wednesday, 23rd August, between 10am and 3pm, where the public can exchange their used plastic shopping bags for environmentally-friendly cotton ones.

- New promotions on kerbside recycling schemes.

- A drive for the police's Streetsafe operation, where the public are asked about the threat of crime and what concerns them the most.

- New initiatives to get Cumbrians composting more of their green waste.

- Innovative ways of promoting fire safety checks in people's homes.

- An update on the problem of abandoned vehicles in the county.

- Street cleaning promotions.

Cumbria County Council's Ian Stewart, cabinet member responsible for the environment, said: 

"Cumbria is world-renowned for its natural beauty, but we need to be looking after our own backyard. Cleaner, Greener, Safer is about asking Cumbrians whether they're doing all they can to cut down on the amount of waste they produce, whether they're helping to make the streets a more pleasant environment, and whether they're helping to protect themselves from crime and accidents."

South Lakeland District Council's Brenda Woof, cabinet member for environment & sustainability, said: 

"We know how important it is for people to feel happy and safe in their own neighbourhoods, so we are tackling many environmental issues. We’re currently making it even easier for people to recycle by bringing the collection service to their kerbside and through introducing more recycling sites. We’re also working with partners to reduce crime and the fear of crime in South Lakeland."

Carlisle City Councillor Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment & Infrastructure, said:

"We urge local residents and businesses to back the campaign to make Carlisle, and all of Cumbria, cleaner, greener and safer. We want to work alongside local people to tackle anti-social behaviour such as graffiti, litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping and fly-posting. These are unacceptable eco-crimes which will no longer be tolerated by local councils and local communities."

Graham Sunderland, Assistant Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary, said: 

“The constabulary’s Respect campaign aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and create safer, stronger communities. However, this is not the job of police alone. It is important that all agencies work together to make sure the streets of Cumbria remain safe and in an environment where people are happy to live. Cleaner, Greener, Safer will help that aim.”