THE streets of East London are getting a clean sweep from criminals who’ve brushed up against the law. The bad guys are seen clearing their debt to society’ in bright orange over-jackets on a Justice Ministry Community Payback’ scheme for their sins

By Mike Brooke

THE streets of East London are getting a clean sweep’ from criminals who’ve brushed up against the law.

The bad guys are seen clearing their debt to society’ for their sins in bright orange over-jackets on a Justice Ministry Community Payback’ scheme.

Government Crime & Justice adviser Louise Casey (pictured) saw offenders in the East End’s Brick Lane this-morning (Friday), clearing up the mess and litter as part of a pay back’ scheme.

CRIMINALS

“This scheme makes sure criminals pay for what they’ve done,” she said later.

“The project I visited in Brick Lane showing offenders clearing litter and graffiti can help prevent a downward cycle of neglect in a vibrant area.”

She also met London Probation staff as well as Brick Lane’s Neighbourhood police team, Tower Hamlets council’s cabinet member for environment issues Abdul Ullah and members of the Spitalfields community.

PUNISHED

London Probation chief Paul Wilson said: “It’s important residents see offenders are being punished for their crimes.”

The payback’ in London totals a million hours a year, all aimed at benefiting the community.

Other East End neighbourhoods that households voted in a recent poll for offenders to clean up included Millwall Park on the Isle of Dogs and Watney Market off the Commercial Road.