EIGHTS youths who damaged walls with graffiti in Vinters Park at Maidstone have been asked to clean it up as part of their punishment.

The graffiti was discovered by local Police Community Support Officer Matt Spencer who recognised some of the "tags". Subsequently, four youths were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage. A further four young people were then identified as being involved and were also interviewed.

All eight youths admitted they caused the damage. Four were charged and appeared in Youth Court on March 5, and the other four were placed onto the Youth Crime Diversion Programme.

A police spokeswoman said: "As part of their punishment, it is currently being arranged for them to help clear up the graffiti.

"This comes after a recent Partners And Communities Together (PACT) meeting in Vinters Park, where residents named graffiti in the area to be one of their top concerns."

Ch Insp Ian Hall said: "This is a positive step forward in the PACT process and also shows we will not tolerate any form of anti social behaviour.

"In this case, PCSO Spencer’s local knowledge meant that the youths who caused the damage were spoken to very quickly and this in itself shows how effective neighbourhood policing can be.”