A MASS clean-up campaign is heading for the Bedale area.

The fourth Operation Enable, which brings together a host of agencies to tackle environmental crime, will run in Bedale, Aiskew and Leeming Bar from December 6 to 8.

Led by the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership, the campaigners will clear rubbish, fix broken signs, repair footpaths and warn speeding drivers.

Officers from the police, fire and rescue service, local councils, housing associations and magistrates' courts will spend three days working on the operation, which will also see a first outing for the partnership's new graffiti-busting machine. The machine cleans buildings and removes discarded chewing gum and ingrained food from pavements.

Hambleton District Council's new enforcement officer will target environmental offences with the dog warden checking on dog fouling and offering advice to dog owners.

A mobile police unit will be manned by officers giving advice on an initiative which urges people not to leave house and car keys close to doors.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cars have been stolen in the Hambleton district this year by thieves fishing for keys through letterboxes.

Partnership officer Chief Inspector Ken McIntosh said: "These campaigns are a completely new approach to tackling environmental crime. They target everything from abandoned cars and fly tipping to anti-social behaviour and fine defaulters.

"We want to retain pride and respect in these areas and show residents they do not have to put up with littering, graffiti, poorly-maintained signs or anti-social behaviour.

"This is a real team effort by all the agencies. These campaigns have already reaped huge rewards in Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk and we are hoping for the same success next week."