A team of offenders have been praised for making an isolated area on an estate safer for residents. 

The Community Payback project, involving a group of 17 men and one woman, took place today (May 14) at Aldriche Way estate in Highams Park.  

Working in conjunction with Waltham Forest council, the Metropolitan Police, and housing association Ascham Homes, the team focused on clearing overgrowth, fly-tips and removing graffiti from the basketball area.  

Despite the heavy rain, the team cutback overgrowth as high as six ft. leading to the courts and cleared either side of an alleyway leading to Rolls Park Sports Ground. 

More than 60 people collectively worked together making it the biggest project of its type ever to be carried out in the E4 area. 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

An offender helps tidy up the alleyway linking Rolls Park Sports Ground to Aldriche Way

Community Payback manager, Claire Farquhar, said: "People didn't feel safe in that particular area so today's action was in response to residents' desires. 

"By clearing the alleyway we've made it safer to pass through and less intimidating to use.  

"By opening up the area we've stopped it looking so isolated and fly-tipping is now less likely to occur.   

"The offenders have done a brilliant job. 

"They definitely like working together and knowing that their efforts are serving a purpose. For some, it is even a way into work and gives them experience." 

A 22-year-old offender, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We’ve tidied up and helped the community. 

"Kids will want to play there now rather than hang around on the street corners."