The Burnt Oak Safer Neighbourhoods Team was praised last week in a Government white paper for its work with the community.

Two years ago the team was approached by concerned residents about graffitti daubed on a parade of shops along Watling Avenue.

Church volunteer workers were drafted in, graffiti-cleaning kits were provided to shopkeepers, and CCTV cameras were installed. The offending graffiti tags were identified and as a result, eight people were cautioned.

The first annual review of Together We Can, an action plan for improving the way people engage with local and national government, praised the initiative for giving residents more control in their communities.

PC Graeme Day of the team said: "When members of the public come to us, we try to help the best we can.

"The project started in 2004 and was organised with volunteers from churches, the police and the local authority, it is about working together.

"Even now, more than 90 per cent of the surfaces are graffiti-free so it has had an impact."

Secretary of State for Commu- nities and Local Government Ruth Kelly said: "We are committed to bridging the gulf between public bodies and communities so people feel they have a role to play and that their opinions matter."