0:00:02 > 0:00:04From grappling with our daily grind...
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Why have they suddenly decided to dump all this waste
0:00:06 > 0:00:08in other people's bins?
0:00:08 > 0:00:10To unearthing the extraordinary...
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Wow, it's Wigan's gold mask.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15..battling those blighting the streets...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17It's not acceptable, really.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19..bringing the community together...
0:00:19 > 0:00:21- Hi.- Hi.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22..and being on hand in troubled times.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25I've got kids. We can't even open the bedroom windows
0:00:25 > 0:00:27because of the noise. It's affecting everything - sleep.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29You know, just day-to-day living, really.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32In this series we follow front-line staff
0:00:32 > 0:00:35working for Wigan Council in Greater Manchester.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36I speak to the waste.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39I say to it, "Talk to me. How have you got here?"
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Like council officers across the country,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43they're keeping us free from harm...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46You're looking at really serious injury or possibly death.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48..stepping in to try and solve our problems...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I mean, it's constant.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53You'll be told today that we will be serving notice.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54..and responding to residents...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Much appreciate what you're doing, anyway.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57..when they...
0:00:57 > 0:00:59- What was the enquiry today? - ..Call The Council.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11Coming up...
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Council officers hit new heights to tame dangerous trees...
0:01:21 > 0:01:24..come face-to-face with some feathered foes...
0:01:24 > 0:01:27These things are called flying rats to pest control.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29They poo as they fly.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34..and step in when residents get revved-up about a rusty van.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36The steering column's been hacked to pieces.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38It's full of junk.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43It's not in great nick.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Wigan lies 20 miles west of Manchester.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58The borough is home to over 300,000 people.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01The backbone of the community is the council.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Good afternoon, Wigan Council, Colin Evans.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Its aim is to support and improve the lives of everyone
0:02:09 > 0:02:11that lives here.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Public Protection Officer Colin Evans has
0:02:14 > 0:02:17worked for Wigan Council for 33 years
0:02:17 > 0:02:21but shows no sign of tiring in his pursuit of wrongdoers.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23'I'm quite persistent when I'm doing my job.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25'There's very little will stop me.'
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Keeps me fit, this job, that's for sure.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31'I climb a wall, jump over.'
0:02:31 > 0:02:33I get on my hands and knees and have a look under a gate
0:02:33 > 0:02:35to see if I can see what's going on.
0:02:35 > 0:02:36As long as I get there,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38I don't care what means it is.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40As long as it's legal, I will do it.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It gives me a buzz and I feel good knowing that I've
0:02:43 > 0:02:46helped somebody out they're happy with what I've done.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Colin and his public protection partner Barry Pilkington
0:02:54 > 0:02:57are well-versed in dealing with the humans
0:02:57 > 0:02:59who might like their community,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02but today's enemy is of the feathered variety - pigeons.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Residents have called the council
0:03:07 > 0:03:10because one of the neighbours is feeding pigeons
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and they're fed up with the proliferation of pigeon poo.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15The main problem is they're roosting on
0:03:15 > 0:03:18the gutters and window ledges, etc. There's foul blowing all over there.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22They're blocking gutters, staining the windowsills,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24staining the yards and they're having to clean the yards
0:03:24 > 0:03:26before they can let the children out playing.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28It's not very nice.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31These things are called flying rats in pest control.
0:03:31 > 0:03:32They poo as they fly.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34They are classed as pests.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38The council is entitled to legally dispose of those birds.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40So we're going to observe the gentleman
0:03:40 > 0:03:42hopefully feeding the birds tonight,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46we'll go and have a word with him and see if we can put a stop to it.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Pigeons are classed as pests for good reasons.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54They carry a number of potentially harmful diseases
0:03:54 > 0:03:56including salmonella
0:03:56 > 0:03:57and tuberculosis.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Added to this, the waste from pigeons
0:04:00 > 0:04:03and their feed attracts other vermin like mice and rats.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08But it's the mess from these pigeons' droppings that Barry's
0:04:08 > 0:04:10most concerned about today.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13These birds are used to being fed. They're no fools.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15There's a free meal in for them.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18They're probably coming from the town centre and local district
0:04:18 > 0:04:20to come here and they can get as much food
0:04:20 > 0:04:23within two or three minutes than they will get scavenging
0:04:23 > 0:04:26for most of the day.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29If you look over here, we have a lady there with her washing.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34Pigeon fouling on the washing is something that we can't have.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Colin and Barry wait in the alley,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40hoping to catch the feeder with grain in hand.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43We're waiting now for the gentleman to come out
0:04:43 > 0:04:45and to start feeding the birds.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Obviously, if we catch him in the act
0:04:47 > 0:04:49then Colin can have a quiet word with him,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53make him aware that his actions are actually affecting other people.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58As you can see, the amount of birds there...
0:04:58 > 0:05:00It's just out of control.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02It's got to stop.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05Coming up...
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Colin hits the wall to catch a glimpse of the mystery bird feeder.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13He's opened the back door, thrown the food out
0:05:13 > 0:05:15and shut the door again.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24From pests to partygoers -
0:05:24 > 0:05:28local councils are charged with keeping our streets safe,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32whether it's pigeons or people causing the problem.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Council Licensing Enforcement Officer Ian Whistlecroft
0:05:35 > 0:05:39oversees the licensing of bars and nightclubs in Wigan.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41He ensures they uphold the conditions placed on them,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44making them safe places to have fun.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51In the UK, night-focused businesses are the fifth biggest industry,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54with a yearly turnover of £66 billion...
0:05:55 > 0:05:58..providing jobs and bolstering the economy of towns
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and cities across the country.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04But this night-time economy can bring with it nuisance behaviour
0:06:04 > 0:06:05that needs to be managed.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12Today, Ian's heading for a secret location underneath the town hall.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Hi, it's Ian from licensing.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20There's some important video footage he needs to take a look at.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27This is the nerve centre of Wigan Council's CCTV operation,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30run in partnership with the police.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Across the borough, high-powered cameras keep
0:06:33 > 0:06:36a watchful eye on the streets, helping to prevent crime.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- TANNOY:- You are being recorded by Wigan Council CCTV control.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Your behaviour is causing a disturbance.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50Staff monitor the pictures 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52The staff in here will tell you I live in here.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Most of the complaints I can box off or investigate quite easily
0:06:56 > 0:06:59by just looking at the cameras because the town
0:06:59 > 0:07:01has a really good system.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06There are estimated to be six million CCTV cameras
0:07:06 > 0:07:09operating nationwide.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13And on average we are caught on camera 70 times a day.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Wigan Council has 550 cameras,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20revealing any problems on the streets of the borough day or night.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Ian's come to the control room to take a look at a video recorded
0:07:26 > 0:07:29outside a local nightclub on a recent bank holiday Monday.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33It's quarter to nine on a Monday morning.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36This council staff are cleaning from the night before
0:07:36 > 0:07:38and you've got all these people then
0:07:38 > 0:07:40who have just come out the club.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42And a complaint's come in, basically,
0:07:42 > 0:07:45because it seems to be a recurring feature now
0:07:45 > 0:07:49that street cleaners are encountering problems
0:07:49 > 0:07:52every time there's a bank holiday.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Last bank holiday morning, street cleaner Jim Angeleto was hindered
0:08:02 > 0:08:06whilst doing his job, when threatened by rowdy revellers.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The bloke came over to me and tried opening the window.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Next minute he's at the side window.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16He called me everything under the sun.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17They lie down in front of you.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20They put their feet out to pretend to have their shoes cleaned,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22but it's a machine.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27If they put it in too hard, they will have a hand or a leg cut-off.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30It's not very nice for anybody, really.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32I hope the council will sort it out.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Bank holidays tend to be worse.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41On these days, the club applies to the council for an extended licence
0:08:41 > 0:08:43that allows them to stay open an extra two hours
0:08:43 > 0:08:45until eight in the morning.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48But if Jim and his fellow street cleaners have problems
0:08:48 > 0:08:51cleaning or are put in danger again,
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Ian could recommend that the council withdraw this special licence.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56We've got one character now...
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Two lads down in front of the road sweeper,
0:08:59 > 0:09:00thinking it's a jolly jape.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06All it needs is the driver to get really fed up
0:09:06 > 0:09:08and get out and confront that idiot
0:09:08 > 0:09:12and the next thing, it could all just blow up.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14It's just stupidity.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17Now Ian's seen the evidence,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20he'll be keeping a close eye on the club.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24We'll have a look again at the next bank holiday and see
0:09:24 > 0:09:26whether it's the same pattern.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27If it is the same pattern,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31then obviously something will have to be done with it
0:09:31 > 0:09:34on a more official footing then.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36It's not acceptable, really.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Coming up...
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Ian hits the street to hear firsthand the problems
0:09:42 > 0:09:44the council's cleaners face.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46There's enough to get the management in and speak to them
0:09:46 > 0:09:49and see what the crack is, really.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- Eight o'clock on a Monday morning. - HE EXHALES
0:09:57 > 0:10:00In towns and cities across the country,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04trees provide a much-needed break from the urban environment.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07But nature has a habit of overflowing and needing to be
0:10:07 > 0:10:11trimmed back, which is why, like councils everywhere,
0:10:11 > 0:10:16Wigan Council has a dedicated team to look after its green spaces.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Mark is the leader of the council's team of tree surgeons.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23They keep Wigan's trees healthy by pruning and trimming
0:10:23 > 0:10:27and chopping down diseased or dangerous trees.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Mark has worked for the council since he was a teenager.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35I was 15 and I was walking through a local woodland on a Sunday afternoon
0:10:35 > 0:10:37on my way to church, if you can believe it...
0:10:40 > 0:10:43There were two guys up a huge tree.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46I just looked at it... I stopped and watched them
0:10:46 > 0:10:48taking this tree down and thought,
0:10:48 > 0:10:49"I'd love to do that."
0:10:49 > 0:10:52When I left school I got a job cutting the grass
0:10:52 > 0:10:56and then a job became vacant on the tree gang and I applied for it.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59As they say, the rest is history.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03I've been enjoying it for the last 31 plus years.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Mark's working day is organised back at the council's HQ
0:11:09 > 0:11:11by Jill Harrison.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Generally when you see council men pruning trees in Wigan,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20that's me - I'm behind that.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Tree expert Jill decides whether a tree has got out of control
0:11:24 > 0:11:27and whether she needs to send in Mark.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Residents have called the council about a number of nuisance
0:11:30 > 0:11:33trees and Jill is on her way to investigate.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Trees are a very emotional subject.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38People seem to either love them or hate them.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Whatever you do... Sometimes whatever you do,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43it's not quite the right route.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45It's all about compromise, really.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50Wigan Council maintains over 100,000 trees,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53covering an area of 187 square kilometres
0:11:53 > 0:11:57in parks, woodland and council house gardens.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00The council tries to conserve its stock of trees
0:12:00 > 0:12:02and only those deemed dangerous,
0:12:02 > 0:12:04diseased or dying
0:12:04 > 0:12:05are considered for the chop.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Jill's meeting Theresa Phillips, who helps manage council
0:12:10 > 0:12:13properties and has the details of the troublesome trees.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Hi, you all right, yeah?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Which one are we looking at first?- This one.- Right.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22First on Jill's list is a call from a resident
0:12:22 > 0:12:26complaining about the work the council has done on a tree
0:12:26 > 0:12:28in his garden. They've sprayed the tree to stop
0:12:28 > 0:12:31new seedlings sprouting, but he's still not happy.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35It's cost me over £500 to get this treated
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and it's just dying every time through that thing.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Stephen is sick of his sycamore.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43He believes its roots and seedlings are destroying his lawn
0:12:43 > 0:12:46and he wants it chopping down.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48I dug it all up once and dug all the roots out
0:12:48 > 0:12:53because there was little trees growing here.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56I've had... See one of them that's growing at the side now?
0:12:56 > 0:13:00These here. All these here, these are all like little trees coming up.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Yeah.- I've cut all them down.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05All you did last time... You came and sprayed it
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- and it rained about five minutes after you did it.- Right.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Now, look at it, it's just died all over again.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15As it's council policy to only chop down diseased or dangerous
0:13:15 > 0:13:18trees on council land, Jill can't authorise
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Steven's tree to be felled.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22But she does have a solution.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Quite often, obviously, we can't take a tree down
0:13:25 > 0:13:28just because somebody wants it down.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31We have to look into all the other possibilities.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35If we do a bit of pruning, it would have less of a seedling problem.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39So we'll see if you can prune it and see if that works for him.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Still to come...
0:13:41 > 0:13:44A tree is leaning dangerously against a fence,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47causing a resident concern for her child's safety.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I'm thinking, the tree and the fence is going to go.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51You just never know, do you?
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Especially when you've got a little one.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Across town, Colin Evans is dealing with a complaint against
0:14:05 > 0:14:09a mystery resident who is feeding pigeons at the back of his home.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12The pigeons are arriving en masse for a free supper
0:14:12 > 0:14:15and Colin wants it to stop.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18The main problem is, they're roosting on the gutters
0:14:18 > 0:14:21and window ledges, etc, and there's foul going all over there.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24It's just not very nice.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Colin and his colleague Barry are patiently
0:14:27 > 0:14:31waiting in the hope of catching the phantom feeder red-handed.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34But Colin thinks he's been rumbled.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36It could well be he's seen me out the window
0:14:36 > 0:14:40and he's keeping a low profile.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46They decide enough is enough and make their move.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56There is some food on the floor, there's not a lot.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Breadcrumbs, he's feeding.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Under their noses, the phantom feeder has sneaked into his yard
0:15:02 > 0:15:04and scattered some bird feed.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Hello?
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Yeah, he's opened the back door, thrown the food out
0:15:09 > 0:15:11and he's shut the door again.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18So I shall call round there and knock on his door and ask him.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Colin has seen enough.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23It's time to confront the pigeon fancier.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- Hello, sir. Environmental health at Wigan Council.- Sorry?
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Environmental health at Wigan Council.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37I'm Colin Evans and this is my colleague Barry Pilkington.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- Yes.- We've come about you feeding the pigeons in the back yard.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- Oh, yes, yeah.- You can't do that.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44You're causing a lot of nuisance to all the neighbours.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47The birds are fouling everywhere.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51The bird man of Wigan is in fact octogenarian Neville Pomfret.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54I understand that people are complaining...
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It's a mess. Not everybody likes it.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00You can't feed them in a built-up area like this.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04Can I not finish off with the food that I've got?
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- How much have you got? - Well, I've got...
0:16:07 > 0:16:10What day is it today?
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Colin and Barry agree to give Neville a week's grace to finish
0:16:13 > 0:16:15his supply of bird feed.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- Well, I'll come back in a week's time...- Right.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20..and we'll see what's happening.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- Right, I'm sorry to have caused a problem.- Not a problem
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Thanks very much for your time. Cheers, bye.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27It's a result for Colin and Barry,
0:16:27 > 0:16:29but a sad day for Neville.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36We've got an elderly gentleman, we don't want to frighten him
0:16:36 > 0:16:38but we've got to get our point across.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41We want to be firm, we want to be assertive
0:16:41 > 0:16:43but we don't want to cause any distress.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Neville has reluctantly agreed to stop feeding the birds,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49but he's worried about his feathered friends.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53There are times when I feel like I wish I hadn't started feeding them
0:16:53 > 0:16:55because they've started to rely on me now, you know,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57after all these years.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59I put water out for them as well, of course.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Anyway, it's just the difference between people.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Some people treat them as vermin, so that's that.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10You just have to watch they don't do anything on your head.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13That's why I've got this cap on.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16He, sort of, reluctantly agrees it's an issue.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Now, he says he's going to stop feeding them but he's asked...
0:17:20 > 0:17:22He's still got some left, which he says is going to last him
0:17:22 > 0:17:24until the end of the week - the food.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27I've agreed that he can feed them for the rest of this week.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30I am really upset about it, but what can I do?
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I can't afford to let them take me to court to put
0:17:33 > 0:17:35an ASBO on me, or something like that.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37I might even go to jail, you know, if I keep...
0:17:37 > 0:17:40If I keep doing it, so...
0:17:40 > 0:17:42I've got enough on my mind,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45with only just having just lost my wife as well. I just don't...
0:17:45 > 0:17:49It's knocked all the fight out of me, really.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55It's going to be hard for him.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57I've a lot of sympathy, you know what I mean?
0:17:57 > 0:17:59But ultimately I've got to think of the greater...
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Of the rest of the residents round here.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Coming up...
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Colin returns to Pigeon Alley to make sure the bird feeder
0:18:09 > 0:18:11has conceded defeat.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13I'm not letting it go.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16I'm going to have a word with the chappy again.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Be it fly-tipped waste, dropped litter
0:18:27 > 0:18:30or grubby graffiti, our local councils are charged
0:18:30 > 0:18:33with keeping our communities free
0:18:33 > 0:18:36from anything unsightly and antisocial.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38When residents in Wigan complain about nuisance
0:18:38 > 0:18:42in their neighbourhood, Pete Rutter investigates.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I'm a Safer Environment Officer,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47which deals with predominantly antisocial behaviour.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50My job comes with a large remit.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52You're talking neighbour nuisance, noise enquiries,
0:18:52 > 0:18:57abandoned vehicles, responsible dog ownership, that kind of thing.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00I deal with anything that has cause, or is likely to cause,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03harassment, alarm or distress.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Residents have called the council about an abandoned truck.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Pete's on the case.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13We've had a report there's been an abandoned vehicle
0:19:13 > 0:19:16over on Scot Lane.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19It's been there for a number of weeks.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21I'm sure there must be some paper trail of who owns the vehicle.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24I'm going to go and take some photographs of it.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Possibly it's somebody in the area - it's usually the case.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31But if I can identify them, I can write to them.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33If I can't, I'll just have to put a notice on the vehicle...
0:19:33 > 0:19:36A 15 day notice with intent to remove.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39If it's not removed within that period...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42You usually find that it'll just magically vanish
0:19:42 > 0:19:44once the notice goes on.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48The truck isn't hard to spot.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52Judging by the weeds growing on it, it's been here a long time.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Pete speaks to the nearby garage to find out what they know.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- No idea whose this van is, do you, mate?- ...Seven or eight months.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Seven or eight months, has it?
0:20:03 > 0:20:06That's eight months that the residents
0:20:06 > 0:20:08have been faced with this eyesore.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11The steering column's been hacked to pieces.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12It's full of junk.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16It's not in great nick.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19So I'll just take some photos.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22The photos could help identify the owner,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26but if the truck's already been here for months, there's a good chance
0:20:26 > 0:20:29it's just been dumped and left for somebody else to deal with.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Not only do abandoned vehicles look unsightly,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39but they encourage vandalism and have the potential to catch fire.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Abandoning a vehicle is a criminal offence,
0:20:44 > 0:20:48carrying a potential three-month prison sentence
0:20:48 > 0:20:49and a £2,500 fine.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57Six days later, Pete returns to the vehicle to see if it's been claimed.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59It doesn't seem like anyone's attended to it
0:20:59 > 0:21:02since we were last here.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Pete's checked with the police and DVLA,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08but can't trace the owner.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13So he sticks on a notice, giving whoever owns it 15 days to shift it.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19If no-one comes forward in that time, Pete has the power to sell
0:21:19 > 0:21:22the truck or send it to the scrapyard,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24sealing its fate in the crusher.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26That's secure there, now.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It's laminated, so it'll protect it from the weather.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31I'll just take a photograph of it
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and then I can attach it to the file.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38Coming up - the abandoned truck mystery gets murkier.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40It's moved about 6-8 feet further back.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Somebody's been in it because they've taken the notice
0:21:43 > 0:21:45I put on the front and they've placed it inside.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49So somebody's been out to it, read it and still done nothing about it.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59As the council tax we pay goes towards the employment of over
0:21:59 > 0:22:03two million council officers across the UK,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06we all have an opinion on the job they do.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09The council are mainly penpushers, in my view.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12They don't keep in contact with the real world.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I think council workers do a really good job, the majority of the time.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18If you phone up the council, you get nowhere.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20"Press button, press button, press button, press button" -
0:22:20 > 0:22:22will be the music.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25All at the end of it, when you get to about press button number ten,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27it cuts off.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Sometimes the work of council officers goes unnoticed.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38It's seven o'clock in the morning on a bank holiday Monday.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Many of the borough's residents are enjoying a lie-in.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Licensing Enforcement Officer Ian Whistlecroft isn't so lucky.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53He's back in the CCTV room,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56monitoring the goings-on outside a town centre nightclub.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00It's a fact-finding little exercise and evidence gathering
0:23:00 > 0:23:04to see whether it is as bad as reported on the first bank holiday.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07At the moment, it's all hunky-dory
0:23:07 > 0:23:10because I think most people are still inside.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12My colleagues from CCTV here tell me
0:23:12 > 0:23:15that at half past six this morning they were queueing to get in.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- INTERVIEWER:- What were you doing at half past six this morning?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I think I was in the land of Nod somewhere.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24I certainly wasn't queueing up to get into a nightclub.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Last time the club had an extended licence,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Wigan street cleaners felt threatened by rowdy revellers.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34A bloke came over to me and tried opening the window.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37The next minute, he's at the side window and called me
0:23:37 > 0:23:39everything under the sun.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42It's not very nice for anybody, really.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Outside the nightclub, people are starting to leave
0:23:46 > 0:23:50and Jim's road sweeper has just turned the corner into the street.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55It doesn't take long for trouble to break out
0:23:55 > 0:23:59as Ian spots a drunken reveller climbing on the back of Jim's wagon.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02He's jumping on back of thing, there.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05See what I mean?
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Thankfully, the doorman reacted very quickly
0:24:08 > 0:24:11to the idiot who jumped on his wagon.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13He knocked him off.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Ian's seen enough.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Shall we have a bumble out?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21It's time for him to hit the streets to find out more.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26I'm going to have a little mooch about to see what's happening.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29We'll see if them council workers are OK
0:24:29 > 0:24:32and carry out some observations actually on the street.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39He goes to talk to Jim - the street cleaner who reported the problem.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Hi, I'm Ian from licensing department at the local council.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46We've just seen one idiot jump on the back here.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49He knocked the door and said, "Give us a lift."
0:24:49 > 0:24:52I said, "No." When I first met them when I went around the corner,
0:24:52 > 0:24:54the bloke knocked on the window and goes,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56"Have you got a fag?" I said, "No,"
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and he just punched us through the window.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02The other thing he was doing was handling the brushes.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05If they're messing about on your machine and they're bladdered,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08it's an accident waiting to happen, isn't it, really?
0:25:08 > 0:25:10That's spinning round and I don't know how many revs that goes.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- It seemed like a good idea at the time.- Yeah!
0:25:13 > 0:25:14Nice meeting you. Cheers, pal.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20It's been an eventful bank holiday morning.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Ian now has enough evidence to take matters further
0:25:23 > 0:25:24with the owners of the club.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29You've got people coming out with alcohol, bottles
0:25:29 > 0:25:33and obviously we have council workers being prevented
0:25:33 > 0:25:35from carrying out their jobs as well.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38So there's enough to get the management in and speak to them
0:25:38 > 0:25:40and see what the crack is, really.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- Eight o'clock on a Monday morning. - HE EXHALES
0:25:49 > 0:25:53A week later and Ian has now gathered the evidence
0:25:53 > 0:25:56he needs to meet club owner Matt and take him to task.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Hi, Matt.- Hiya, you all right?
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Yeah, fine, thank you.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02We've had quite a few issues with your patrons leaving
0:26:02 > 0:26:05the premise causing quite a few problems.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Council cleaners, who were on duty at that time,
0:26:07 > 0:26:09have been getting hassle off punters coming out
0:26:09 > 0:26:12and a couple of them have had threats made to them.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16We've had one chap who was on the back of the machine
0:26:16 > 0:26:18riding it like a rodeo bronco.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Ian takes Matt through the issues that the council have with
0:26:22 > 0:26:24the club's extended licence.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28Matt has some ideas about how to limit any potential problems.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Put into place some procedure in terms of
0:26:30 > 0:26:33when the DJ finishes his slot, the music goes off,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36we're asking punters to leave the premises, you know,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38respectively, quietly.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42We also get a member of staff, they issue lollipops
0:26:42 > 0:26:44and a free bottle of water for when people are leaving,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46so we feel that, kind of, will give them something to do
0:26:46 > 0:26:50as they're leaving. You know, stick a lollipop in their mouth.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51It keep them quiet.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Bit of a drink of water just to, obviously,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55help them disperse a lot more quickly.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57OK, Matt, thank you.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01It's been a positive meeting, but Ian will keep an eye on the club.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- I'll leave you to crack on. - Thank you very much.- Cheers now.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07He can ask for Matt's licence to be reviewed and possibly revoked
0:27:07 > 0:27:09if he doesn't stay true to his word.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13He's been very receptive, but let's just see if he delivers now.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15It's not going to go away, it's going to be monitored
0:27:15 > 0:27:18to see whether things do improve because if they don't,
0:27:18 > 0:27:21then, unfortunately, it will go to the next stage.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23They have a job to do and I can fully appreciate that.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24We have a business to run.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26It doesn't paint us in a good light.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29It doesn't paint the night-time economy in a good light,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31so, obviously, we need to address those concerns,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34we need to address them quickly, we need to ensure that, obviously,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38when people leave the premises, they do so in an orderly fashion.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41It's all about public safety. We want people to go into these venues,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43have a good time and get home safely.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46So, they wake up the next day saying they've had a cracking night out.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48That's why we're there, really.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49We're not going to go away.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52We'll keep on working and try our best to make it a safer place.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Coming up, will Ian's intervention make a difference
0:27:59 > 0:28:01to street cleaner Jim's morning shift?
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Colin Evans has been called to stop Neville Pomfrett -
0:28:13 > 0:28:17the bird man of Wigan - from feeding nearly 100 pigeons
0:28:17 > 0:28:19that roost on the roofs of the terraced houses,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21causing mess and distress.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27Colin has told Neville to finish his seed supply and then stop for good.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30It's going to be hard for him, but, ultimately, I've got to
0:28:30 > 0:28:33think of the rest of the residents round here.
0:28:36 > 0:28:37Three weeks have passed
0:28:37 > 0:28:40and Colin has returned to the alley to make sure that Neville,
0:28:40 > 0:28:44the pigeon feeder, has stopped the birds' evening meals.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Colin's in for a pleasant surprise.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56I'm just looking now and I can count five birds.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Quite chuffed with that.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01That's a quicker result than what I was hoping to get,
0:29:01 > 0:29:02I won't deny that.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03I was expecting to come back again
0:29:03 > 0:29:07and get another reduction before I got to this stage.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10So, yeah, I'm well chuffed with that. Very happy.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13I'm not letting it go.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15I'm going to have a word with the chap again and just remind him
0:29:15 > 0:29:19that I am still monitoring this and, obviously,
0:29:19 > 0:29:20I don't want him to be feeding them.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22KNOCK ON DOOR
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Hello, sir, remember me?
0:29:27 > 0:29:28Oh, I recognise you from last week.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Yeah, I'm just coming back now following upon
0:29:31 > 0:29:32- that visit I made.- Sure.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35A lot less birds. Have you stopped feeding them now?
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Sorry? Oh, yes, I've stopped feeding them now, yes, altogether.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42I realise that you're just doing your job and...
0:29:44 > 0:29:46So, I've never argued the point.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49I know it has been a nuisance to people
0:29:49 > 0:29:52and I wasn't surprised when they did complain.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56When I die, I'm 86 now, so, I'm not going to be able
0:29:56 > 0:29:59to feed them then, so...
0:29:59 > 0:30:01I mean, it could happen any time.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06So, that's why I've never made a fuss about it, you know.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09I've got to finish some time and so it might as well be now.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11- OK, thanks very much, sir.- Bye.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16It's a real coup for Colin to have the residents
0:30:16 > 0:30:20and their washing lines free from the threat of aerial bombardment.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22It's just a dream.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24I wish every person was like that.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26My life would be so stress-free.
0:30:26 > 0:30:27It would be a dream.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33And now Neville's feathered friends have flown the nest,
0:30:33 > 0:30:35the council is offering him support.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Tree surgeon Mark Stazika is only let loose after Jill Harrison has
0:30:49 > 0:30:53deemed a council owned tree to be either diseased or causing damage.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58We can't take a tree down just because somebody wants it down.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01We have to look into all the other possibilities.
0:31:01 > 0:31:02But occasionally,
0:31:02 > 0:31:06one of the 100,000 trees in Wigan poses a danger to human life.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Council tenant Jamie Salt is worried about a tree in her
0:31:11 > 0:31:14neighbour's garden that is leaning and pushing against
0:31:14 > 0:31:18the garden fence, making it perilous in windy conditions.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21There's two trees there and one's leaning onto the other one,
0:31:21 > 0:31:25which is leaning onto the fence and I've heard creaking
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and I've looked around to see what it was and when it was really windy
0:31:28 > 0:31:30last week, was it?
0:31:30 > 0:31:34And it was those trees and they were swinging right back.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38And then, you know, coming back with a bit of force on the fence.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41And I'm thinking, "The tree and fence is going to go."
0:31:42 > 0:31:45It's a big enough fence to cause damage as well.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49I know it's got the support, but you just never know, do you?
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Especially when you've got a little one.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I know we're not supposed to destroy trees for the environment,
0:31:55 > 0:31:59but I think two little ones and this little one,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02it won't really do much harm if we did that, really, would it?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Jill's visiting Jamie's neighbour's house
0:32:07 > 0:32:10to look at the treacherous tree to see what steps can be taken.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14So, is it this one?
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Yeah, it's that one on the fence.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18I'll just have a closer look.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20I'll just have a closer look.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23The neighbour's reporting, obviously, that it's
0:32:23 > 0:32:26on the fence line, so it's basically causing damage
0:32:26 > 0:32:28and that's what it is really.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30It looks like somebody's taken a big piece off it here
0:32:30 > 0:32:33and there's quite a bit of rot in it.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37If you look here, this won't be joined properly,
0:32:37 > 0:32:41so this could be quite a weak spot and, you know,
0:32:41 > 0:32:43that stem could go that way.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47It shouldn't really be a problem taking that one down.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49There's some damage to it.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55As it's an unhealthy specimen and it's posing a risk,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Jill is happy for the tree to be removed.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Still to come, the tree fellers of Wigan scale new heights.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08He doesn't mind, he prefers being up there.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10There's nothing he won't go up.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29Street cleaner Jim Angeleto has called his council colleagues after
0:33:29 > 0:33:33a number of troublesome mornings where he was hassled by
0:33:33 > 0:33:36rowdy revellers spilling out of a nightclub at 8am.
0:33:36 > 0:33:37It's not very nice.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40We're doing a job, we're trying to keep it clean and tidy.
0:33:40 > 0:33:41It's silly, really.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43They've had a hell of a lot to drink
0:33:43 > 0:33:45and they just jump out in front of you.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49You know, you've got a machine here that can do a lot of damage.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52They think it's quite funny to lie in front of you or
0:33:52 > 0:33:56put their feet out so you can polish their shoes with the buffers.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58It makes our job twice as hard.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04Licensing enforcement officer Ian Whistlecroft
0:34:04 > 0:34:06has investigated Jim's concerns.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09He seen the evidence on CCTV and he's not happy.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Got one character now, two, lying down in front of the road sweeper...
0:34:14 > 0:34:17thinking it's a jolly jape.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Stupidity.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23Ian can request that their extended licence is reviewed.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25This could mean it's revoked.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27The club owner promised changes.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31It's two weeks later.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Has Jim noticed a difference on the street?
0:34:35 > 0:34:38The council have had a word with the nightclub owners.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40They've seen what's going on.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44The nightclub owners have seen the problems that we're having and that
0:34:44 > 0:34:47and they're monitoring it.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51We're relieved because we don't have anybody harassing us,
0:34:51 > 0:34:55throwing things at us, giving us abuse, threatening us,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57so it is...
0:34:58 > 0:34:59It is good all round.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06We can come up King Street and not worry about any hassle and that.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Keeping the streets of Wigan clean and tidy for
0:35:09 > 0:35:11all the people of Wigan.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Council officer Pete Rutter is facing a battle with a large truck
0:35:25 > 0:35:30that has been dumped and left to rot in a residential street for months.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32It's not in great nick.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Pete gave the owner 15 days to claim the truck.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40That time's elapsed and as the truck has no second-hand value,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Pete has the authority to have it towed away and scrapped.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45It's got weeds and stuff growing at the back of it,
0:35:45 > 0:35:47so it's been there a good while.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50I'll have it taken away today.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52And then it'll be destroyed.
0:35:52 > 0:35:53Here they are, the cavalry.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Although nobody has claimed the truck,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02Pete reckons somebody's been sniffing around.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06From the last time I visited, it has moved.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10It's moved about six, eight feet further back.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Somebody's been in it cos they've taken the notice I put on the front
0:36:13 > 0:36:15and they've placed it inside.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19So, somebody's been out to it, read it and still done nothing about it.
0:36:19 > 0:36:20So...
0:36:21 > 0:36:25..you know, you can only lead a horse to water as they say, I think.
0:36:27 > 0:36:32They charge us 150 quid plus VAT and that's to take the vehicle away,
0:36:32 > 0:36:35keep it impounded for seven days and then they'll destroy it.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Anybody that shows any interest in this vehicle could have obviously
0:36:39 > 0:36:42scrapped it themselves, perhaps got some money for it instead.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45You know, it's costing the council money to
0:36:45 > 0:36:47get it off the streets and tidy the place up.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Job done.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Coming up, Pete bids the van goodbye
0:36:53 > 0:36:56and gets to play with some big boy's toys.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58My kids would love this.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00They like destroying things as well.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Tree surgeon Mark Stazika has arrived at his next job.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16His team are to chop down a treacherous tree in a garden.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Young mum Jamie Salt is worried about a tree
0:37:18 > 0:37:21leaning and pushing against her fence
0:37:21 > 0:37:24making it dangerous for her daughter to play outside.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27When it was really windy, I've heard a creaking
0:37:27 > 0:37:31and it was those trees and it was swinging right back.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35The tree is in the garden of Jamie's neighbour Mercy
0:37:35 > 0:37:38and it was Mercy who called the council.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40I called the council in May.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42When it's thunder and lightning,
0:37:42 > 0:37:45I was frightened of it coming into the house.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47You know, like, coming over.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54I chatted with Jamie and I said, "Well, I'll phone them
0:37:54 > 0:37:57"and see what happens", you know.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Mark's challenge is a tall sycamore that's more than double
0:38:01 > 0:38:04the length of the garden.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07This is the one we're taking down today.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10The tree can't be felled in one chop as it could fall onto
0:38:10 > 0:38:12the fence and house.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14So, Mark's colleague Steve has to climb the tree
0:38:14 > 0:38:16and make a start at the top.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20He doesn't mind, he prefers being up there.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Never ceases to impress us.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26There's nothing he won't go up.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32He was here when I started.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Oh, it's...
0:38:34 > 0:38:3535 years plus.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49Tree surgeon Steve starts by cutting off the highest branches first.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Back on the ground, Mark is taking care of the waste.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14The leaves and branches are chipped and will be recycled
0:39:14 > 0:39:16and used as mulch on council flowerbeds.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22With the top of the tree taken care of,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Mark is handed the chainsaw
0:39:24 > 0:39:28to topple the remaining trunk, carefully avoiding the garden fence.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Just a little bit left of the centre,
0:39:36 > 0:39:38but it's down with plenty room.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40It's down now, so.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42And safely.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45It's a tree-mendous effort by Mark and Steve,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47much to Mercy's relief.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49I'm glad it's down.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Yeah, well, it's a bit more daylight.
0:39:51 > 0:39:52It's a lot more daylight.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55You're going to get sunbathing now!
0:39:55 > 0:39:57I know!
0:39:57 > 0:39:59- As long as you're happy, that's the main thing.- I'm very happy.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01I'm very happy.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03- That's what we want to hear. - Yep.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08I'm just glad it's been done. It's out of the road now.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10So, if we have a bad winter,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13I don't need to be frightened of it coming into the house.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Antisocial behaviour officer Pete Rutter is making a special outing
0:40:39 > 0:40:41to a local scrapyard.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44He's come to say good riddance to an abandoned truck
0:40:44 > 0:40:48that's been an eyesore blighting the streets of Wigan for months.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Pete's given any owners ample opportunities to claim the truck,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55but it's been left to the council to fork out for its disposal.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59It's a shame really because there's firms out there that will
0:40:59 > 0:41:02pick the vehicle up from your location and take it away
0:41:02 > 0:41:05and pay you a few quid for the privilege of doing that.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Unfortunately, at the taxpayer's expense, we have to remove it.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11It is tantamount to fly-tip, so it's got to be removed off
0:41:11 > 0:41:12the highway
0:41:12 > 0:41:15and we're here today to see its final resting place.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21I've been told I make be able to have a little go on the...
0:41:21 > 0:41:25crushing machine, so I'm looking forward to that as well.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09Before the concluding crash, the controls are handed to Pete.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Push that one up...
0:42:13 > 0:42:16and pull the trigger and press the green one.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26My kids would love this.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28They like destroying things as well.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Amazing bit of kit, that.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53After just a few seconds,
0:42:53 > 0:42:58all that remains of the offending truck is a block of twisted metal.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01But Pete's efforts haven't all been for nothing.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03I've just been talking to one of the guys that works here
0:43:03 > 0:43:06and he says that can be on the dock in the morning going overseas
0:43:06 > 0:43:09to be recycled to make different bits and bobs,
0:43:09 > 0:43:10so something good will come of it.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14Yeah, case closed.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17Wigan's streets are free from an offending eyesore
0:43:17 > 0:43:20and maybe one day this former workhorse will be
0:43:20 > 0:43:23given new life as something useful once again.