A PIONEERING scheme to rid Kirklees and Calderdale streets of abandoned cars has won an award.
Two police officers and a civilian from the West Yorkshire force came up with the idea which won a trophy at the awards staged by the charity Ideas UK.
The Organisational Trophy was scooped by Acting Insp Peter Hardcastle, Pc Frank Wilby and civilian staff member Julie Hosty.
The problem of shifting abandoned cars was a shared responsibility between the police and local authorities. But Peter, Frank and Julie - based in Wakefield and Leeds - came up with the idea to use police powers to remove the cars and store them while checking ownership details.
It means the eyesore cars are removed quickly from the streets and cuts down the chance of them being vandalised or set on fire.
Sue Wharton from West Yorkshire Police's Vehicle Recovery Unit said: "The system has so far been introduced in Calderdale and Kirklees and has been fully supported by the areas' local authorities.
"Our next step is to encourage other areas to get involved."
Head of Environmental Health at Calderdale Council, Peter Ramsdale, said: "This partnership scheme has made a marked reduction in the time that abandoned vehicles remain on the street prior to removal."
