POLICE have been praised for getting a group of convicted criminals to clean-up two graffiti hotspots in Wanstead.

Officers based at Wanstead police station, Spratt Hall Road, decided to enlist the help of offenders serving community service orders, after residents complained about the large amount of graffiti covering parts of the childrens' play area in Christ Church Green and several shopfronts in the High Street.

PCSO Mark Chatten, of Wanstead Safer Neighbourhoods Team, contacted Redbridge probation service to request a six-strong team for the work, which could take up to two days to complete.

He said: "We got a lot of calls from residents to do something about the graffiti and I know people will be pleased to see offenders rolling up their sleeves and giving something back to the community.

"All we need to do now is organise payment for the required amount of paint and then we can get started."

Neighbourhood watch member, Deborah Selner, of Spratt Hall Road, said residents were particularly concerned about the obscene nature of some of the tags daubed on equipment in the play area.

She said: "Some of the graffiti in the play area is absolutely disgusting and no parent wants their kids to see that sort of thing.

"We let the police know about the problem and they have responded really well and come up with a great solution.

"It's nice that these people will be doing something constructive for the community as part of their punishment."

These views were backed by Snaresbrook ward Councillor Sue Nolan who says the plan should be used in other parts of the borough affected by graffiti.

She said: "It's a great idea getting these people to carry out the work because residents will get to see a little justice taking place."