Local environmental quality

Local environmental quality (LEQ) describes a set of connected issues on which people make judgements about the place they are in, whether on the street, in green spaces or on waterways.

Many, if not most, local residents base their view of an authority’s overall effectiveness on how they assess its success in tackling enviro-crime, particularly the cleanliness of its streets. These issues range from the standards of cleanliness (with regards to litter, graffiti and flyposting) to the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour, maintenance of street furniture, attractiveness of an area, and all the associated perceptions.

Our focus

London Councils recognises that the improvements made so far in the Capital's local environmental quality need to be sustained, not only for residents but also because the world’s spotlight will be focused on London for the 2012 Games.

In May 2011, London Councils held an event on enviro-crime, download presentations from this event Opens in a new window.

Recent London Councils publications in this area include::

• 'Local environmental quality in times of austerity' - joint research with Keep Britain Tidy into how residents. prioritise local environmental quality in tough financial times.

• 'Enviro-crime busters' - a collection of case studies to showcase some of the innovative work underway in London boroughs on tackling enviro-crime.

• Report on a twinning and mentoring session on cost efficiencies in street cleansing