New Addington residents are hoping the end of thhe holiday will also signal some respite from vandalism.

During the summer holidays, residents have become accustomed to seeing burnt out cars and graffiti daubed across buildings.

George Cowling, chair of the Cudham Drive Residents Association and the New Addington Young Persons Action Committee, believes the problem lies with the lack of police in the area, and welcomed the Guardian's news that more bobbies could be on the way (see page three).

But Councillor Andrew Pelling (Heathside), who has been inspecting graffiti and dumped cars in New Addington this weekend, has praised police for their efforts to clean up the estate.

He said: “The problem has been bad up here but the police have been doing their best to clear it up. Today alone (Tue) I have seen officers remove three burnt out vehicles.”