The clampdown forms part of an intensive week of action focusing on the Millfield, New England and Central ward areas of Peterborough.

Led by Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire police, it aims to encourage residents to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhoods.

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At yesterday's launch outside the Beeches Primary School, in Beech Avenue, councillors, police officers and police community support officers met to discuss the week's action plan.

Neighbourhood policing sergeant Dan Middleton revealed there was going to be a big push to rid streets of traffic offences.

Sgt Middleton said: "Although crime is falling in the area, there is still a lot of problems with traffic.

"Drivers parking where they shouldn't do or ignoring one-way signs happens quite a lot.

"People still persist on cycling on pavements and pedalling without lights on when it gets dark. We will be stepping up our bid to make sure this isn't happening."

Part of this involves educational visits to schools.

The council's road safety team stopped off at The Beeches to carry out a safety challenge with the pupils.

Litter is also a problem, and members of the council's community involvement team were due to take a costumed character, Fly-tipping Fred, to the school's assembly this morning.

Senior community engagement officer Kirsty Martin said: "Litter and fly-tipping problems damage the reputation of otherwise attractive neighbourhoods, and cause significant concern.

"We hope these exercises will communicate important messages that will help youngsters recognise the harm caused by litter, and that they, in turn, can influence others to show greater respect for their neighbourhoods."

Headteacher at Gladstone Primary School Omar Vawda, whose school will also get a visit from Fred, added: "Children are great ambassadors for the environment and can often exert a powerful influence on the older generation when it comes to issues such as litter and fly-tipping.

"After all, today's children will inherit the world."

Other activities lined up this week include a child health day at Gladstone Children's Centre tomorrow, from 10am until noon, and a quit smoking session at Unity Hall, in Northfield Road, on Thursday, from 2pm to 4pm.

A school truancy sweep is also pencilled in, as well as daily graffiti clean-ups and getting to know your neighbourhood events.