Police clean up graffiti in Isle of Dogs

GRAFFITI is gone from an Isle of Dogs youth centre after police and area pupils spent three days cleaning off the offending spray paint. The play area at Masthouse Terrace and St. Andrew s Wharf Youth Centre were both sprayed and scrubbed

GRAFITTI is gone from an Isle of Dogs youth centre after police and area pupils spent three days cleaning off the offending spray paint.

The play area at Masthouse Terrace and St. Andrew's Wharf Youth Centre were both sprayed and scrubbed in order to remove the graffiti.

Officers also visited area stores that sell spray paint to warn them not to sell to under 18's and posted notices to alert graffiti vandalisers of the �80 fine if caught.

"While some people may think graffiti looks artistic, the reality is it's a crime," said Councillor Shahed Ali, lead member for the environment at Tower Hamlets Council.

"Graffiti opens an area up to more serious crimes and makes residents feel unsafe."

The council spends one million pounds of taxpayers' money each year to remove graffiti.