TWO graffiti vandals cleaned off their scrawl in front of neighbours after admitting "tagging" walls and fences around the city estate where they live.

The teenagers were found responsible for the damage after a lengthy investigation by police and the Public Safety Unit (PSU).

It led to the offenders being cautioned, but they also agreed to clean off the mess.

The pair, who have not been identified, are pictured above undoing their damage supervised by PC Kevin O’Rourke. They were also watched by neighbours.

Sgt Maria Spanton, from the PSU, said: "The sight of those responsible for creating graffiti removing it will send out a positive message.

"We cannot force offenders to clean up graffiti and it cannot be conditional on them being cautioned and avoiding going to court.

"However, after we worked with these young people they agreed to make amends and we hope they now appreciate the problem graffiti causes."

City council community safety manager Mark Richardson added: "People do not want to see graffiti daubed all over their estates.

"This was a high-profile way of cleaning the mess up and we commend the parents of the young people involved for allowing us to publicise it."