Police in Putney have helped the borough win a national award for improving a neighbourhood over the past year.

East Putney Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) were honoured after a sustained campaign to help rid Strathan Close of anti-social behaviour.

It followed complaints from residents of noise, litter, grafitti, climbing on garages, fireworks and small fires.

There were also reports of people cycling and riding mopeds dangerously, threatening residents and throwing objects onto West Hill.

The problems, which often involved around 10 youths, had even made some residents ill with the stress.

Officers teamed up with residents, the council, Councillor Leslie McDonnell, the housing association and Wandsworth’s youth offending team to share information and tackle the offenders.

Ringleaders were identified and monitored so that anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) could be imposed if necessary.

One eventually received a custodial sentence.

The council arranged for dark areas to be installed with lights and some disused parts of the estate were either knocked down or installed with bollards.

Graffiti and rubbish was regularly removed, and a residents association and neighbourhood watch were re-launched - with officers carrying out regular high-visibility patrols.

The youths were also engaged in constructive activities, such as mechanics, dance workshops and leadership work.

In September 2009, the number of calls reporting anti-social behaviour from the estate stood at 1 per month - compared to 28 per month in September 2008.

The successful partnership approach led to the borough being named as the winner of the Safer Communities category in the 2010 Safer London Problem Oriented Partnership Awards.

As a result of the award, the ward received a cheque for £7,500 which will go back into community schemes.

Sergeant Matt Snowden, from East Putney SNT, said: “Although East Putney SNT are the proud recipients of this fantastic award, it does not belong to us alone.

"The significant decrease in anti-social behaviour was only possible due to close partnership work between us, the residents, Wandsworth Council, the local Councillor, L and Q Housing and Wandsworth Youth Offending Team.

“This reduction in anti-social behaviour is a testament to the hard work and tenacity of everyone involved."