ABANDONED vehicles which are often targets for vandalism and arson are on the decline, according to Vale Royal Borough Council.

They say a report to their Environment Review Committee revealed a 'sharp decline' in the number of abandoned vehicles on the streets of Vale Royal since the introduction of a joint initiative by Vale Royal, the police and fire service.

The scheme, which was launched last spring, seeks to reduce the number of abandoned vehicles in Vale Royal by using a range of methods including:

The immediate removal of any abandoned vehicle deemed to be dangerous by the police under the provision of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984.

New out-of-hours services, operated by the police, to quickly remove any vehicle which could be the target of vandalism and arson.

The piloting of a Vehicle Surrender Scheme. The council's report states that since the scheme was introduced Vale Royal Borough Council has dealt with 750 abandoned vehicles compared with 945 in 2002/03 and 963 in 2001/02.

Cllr Malcolm Gaskill, Lead Councillor for Environmental Management, said: 'Previously, abandoned vehicles would be left for up to seven days before being towed away and destroyed. These cars became dangerous playgrounds for children and magnets for vandalism and arson. Now we can remove these vehicles within 48 hours and at any time of the day, which prevents them from becoming a magnet for antisocial behaviour and dangerous activities, making Vale Royal an even safer place for residents.'