A partnership scheme involving local authorities, the police, fire service and the DVLA. This operation aims to co-ordinate the quick and efficient removal of abandoned and untaxed vehicles from streets and other areas. Operation Cubit encourages voluntary re-licensing and discourages vehicle abandonment. It has succeeded in disrupting criminal activity, reducing incidents of vehicle arson and has improved the quality of life for residents who had previously been blighted by abandoned vehicles.

For general information on Operation Cubit telephone the Home Office on 0870 000 1585 or visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/antisocial1.html to access the online evaluation report.

ATCM is dedicated to helping town and city centres realise their natural roles both as prosperous locations for business and investment, and as focal points for vibrant, inclusive communities. The ATCM website gives the latest news and information on town centre management issues and information on events and conferences. For Members the site offers further vital information on the development and implementation of town centre management issues including policy statements, examples of good practice, the Directory of Managed Towns and ATCM awards.

Visit www.atcm.org.or telephone 020 7222 0120

The People's Places award scheme is run by BTCV, and is open to community groups in rural and urban areas across England. Awards are targeted at communities living in areas of deprivation and at disadvantaged groups. It offers groups a chance to make a difference to their community by creating or improving a "people's place". This could be an area of land that could be turned into a community garden or park or a building that the group wants to turn into an environmental community resource. Awards of £3,000 to £10,000 are available and guidance and eligibility notes are provided on the website.

For more information visit www.btcv.org/ppawards/intro.html or telephone the People’s Places Award Unit on 01491 821621.

The RSPB is a wildlife conservation charity with more than a million members, 9,000 volunteers and 170 nature reserves. It works to preserve the environment for birds and wildlife, believing that the health of bird populations is indicative of the health of the planet, on which the future of the human race depends. Members of the public can volunteer to help in conservation or other projects.

For general information visit www.rspb.org.uk or telephone 01767 680551

A booklet and website that deals with the issue of begging and street drinking. Crisis aims to delve beyond the prejudice and stereotypes associated with those who beg on the street. The information sheds some light on the nature of the problem and articulates some possible solutions.

Visit www.crisis.org.uk or telephone 0870 011 3335

ODPM's responsibilities for local and regional government, housing, planning, fire, regeneration, social exclusion and neighbourhood renewal puts the Office at the heart of Government's ambition to create sustainable communities for all.

Visit www.odpm.gov.uk or telephone 0207 944 4400

The Home Office is the Government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. They work to ensure that the protection and security of the public are maintained and enhanced.

For more information or to download on-line documents on policing, drugs or crime statistics and research visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk or telephone 0870 0001 585

A National Strategy Action Plan devoted to Neighbourhood Renewal was launched by the Prime Minister on 15 January 2001. The Strategy sets out the Government's vision for narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country. At a national level, the Action Plan is implemented by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (NRU) which is part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The NRU aims to attack the core problems of deprived areas, like weak economies and poor schools, focus existing services and resources explicitly on deprived areas and give local residents and community groups a central role in turning their neighbourhoods around. On the website you can order factsheets or publications and learn about sources of funding like the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

For more information visit www.neighbourhood.gov.uk or telephone the helpline 08450 828383

Community Support Officers do not have the same powers as a full-fledged police officer, yet they are a visible patrolling presence and an effective crime deterrent, especially with regard to anti-social behaviour. As well as being able to issue fixed penalty tickets for minor anti-social behaviour, CSOs can also demand the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner. Other CSO powers include being able to confiscate alcohol being consumed in a public place, confiscate tobacco from young people and seize any vehicles that are being used to potentially harm other people.

For more information visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/communitysafety/#4 or visit the online information resource for crime reduction at www.crimereduction.gov.uk or telephone 01347825 058

The Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens is a charity that supports, promotes and represents city farms and community gardens throughout the UK.

City farms and community gardens are community-managed projects working with people, animals and plants. They range from tiny wildlife gardens to fruit and vegetable plots on housing estates or large city farms. They exist mainly in urban areas and are created in response to a lack of access to green space, combined with a desire to encourage strong community relationships and an awareness of gardening and farming.

General information is available on www.farmgarden.org.uk visit "our links" page for direct links to member farms and gardens that you may be able to support or help. For a database of Federation projects in your area telephone 0117 9231 800