OFFENDERS ordered to carry out unpaid work for the community volunteered to turn up early to help tackle the recent graffiti problem in Taunton.
The Community Payback workers started at 7am on a Sunday instead of the usual time of 9am to clean up spray painting obscenities around Morrisons and on the pedestrian bridge crossing to the Brewhouse theatre.
The scheme was organised by Avon and Somerset Probation Trust in partnership with Taunton Town Centre Community Payback, who say it is ongoing.
A probation trust spokesman said: “Whilst doing this work offenders are required to wear high-visibility jackets to make sure the public are aware of the work they’re doing.
“All offenders doing Community Payback are screened to assess the risk they may pose to the public, and they’re closely supervised by professional staff at all times.”
Police investigating the spate of graffiti in the town centre – including defacing of the Burma Memorial - have already arrested a 19-year-old and a 17-year-old, who were later released on bail pending further enquiries.
They have appealed for information as they believe at least one other person may have been involved.
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