Payback delivers spring spruce-up to Fulwell

4.46.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

• OFFENDERS gave a much-needed spring makeover to the Fulwell Station area last week thanks to the Community Payback initiative.

The scheme is a partnership between Richmond Council, the police and the probation service, which sees offenders carry out unpaid work to tackle quality-of-life crimes. On Friday they were set to work painting over graffiti around the station area. In other projects the offenders remove litter, repair fences or prune brushes and trees as they serve community orders. The activity was also part of the borough's involvement in the Capital Clean-Up campaign, which is improving the appearance of London ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

Sir David Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities on Richmond Council, said: "Graffiti and anti-social crime can blight the quality of life of communities. Community Payback is an excellent remedy that improves the local environment while enabling offenders to give something back to the community and learn life skills. We will continue to work closely with the police, the probation service and residents to identify suitable projects across the borough. The scheme will have an important part to play in the drive to improve the capital's appearance in the run-up to the 2012 Games."