THE police and Medway Council have joined forces to clean up a playground in the Parkwood area of Rainham.

In recent weeks neighbourhood officers have been working with council in Bayswater Drive to rid the children’s play area of graffiti, litter and glass.

A police spokeswoman said: "The area is now safer and more inviting for local youngsters."

Local neighbourhood officer PC Jason Lynch is also working with council officials to investigate the possibility of imposing an ‘under-12’s only’ age restriction on the play area.

PC Lynch, has also been patrolling the area with PCSOs Sam Dixon and Christine Cleland in an effort to stop nuisance groups congregating, smashing glass and intimidating younger children.

PC Lynch said: "Both myself and my colleagues asked local people what could be done to enhance their neighbourhood and many parents told us that they would like to see the play area improved. This is an example of what can be achieved by listening to people’s concerns and then working with our partners to make a positive difference. In short, we asked, listened and acted.

"Our effort is not about stopping people having fun. It is about enforcing acceptable levels of behaviour and creating a stronger, safer community for residents. Simply put, we will not tolerate the actions of mindless vandals who try to ruin local facilities and intimidate others.’

One local resident Emma Evans, 31, is delighted by the clean up and is now happy to let her five-year-old twins, Lucy and Jessica, play in the area.

She said: "It is nice to see a regular police presence in the area as it makes me feel safer and I am encouraged by this clean up operation.

"I want to be able to let my daughters play in a safe environment and before this I couldn’t let them play here because of the smashed glass and damage. We have been coming to the play area again over the last few weeks and I hope that the area will remain clean and safe.’

Medway Council's Portfolio Holder for Frontline Services, Cllr Phil Filmer, and Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Enforcement, Cllr Rehman Chishti, both supported this campaign.

Cllr Chishti said: "This is part of Medway Council's ongoing commitment to rid Medway of graffiti and make Medway a safer place.

"We have listened to the community, who asked us to remove the graffiti and litter. The work was undertaken by officers during a three-day period and families and children can now enjoy this graffiti-free playground."