YOUTHS were made to clean up a bus shelter and surrounding pavement in Callington after soiling the area with whipped cream.

Last Monday (November 18) youths were seen spraying abusive and offensive words with whipped cream by Callington Town Council staff and caught on CCTV. This follows an incident on November 13 where youths set fire to the Cornish Tin Mine play equipment at Saltash Road Recreation Ground, which caused £1,000 worth of damage.

The latest incident took place on the pavement and bus shelter on New Road.

Callington police were called and found the youngsters who had admitted to the vandalism. A new CCTV camera had only been installed that same afternoon on the bus shelter which also identified the youngsters committing the offence.

Callington town clerk Helen Dowdall said: ‘This is so sad and frustrating — we spend all this time and effort to make the town a good, clean and sociable place for everyone and then these mindless acts ruin it for everyone.

‘It’s so frustrating that the youths say “they have nothing to do” but whatever we give them they wreck. Taxpayers money is spent cleaning up after people who vandalise.’

Helen added: ‘The CCTV was put on the bus stop at 3pm and by 5pm the youths were in the street cleaning up — if you do the crime, we get you doing the time.’

A Callington police spokesperson said: ‘The youths cleaned the pavement and bus shelter using a mop and bucket.

‘They also agreed to write a letter of apology to Callington Town Council. Parents were called, advised of the incident and requested to collect them and take them home.’