Mercy Akinnfesi, Jibran Balogun & Motunrayo Otuniga begin the clean up

»Young people came together on Friday to prove that they are not all looting vandals, by tidying up a local estate.

They gathered at Gascoigne Estate, Barking, equipped with gloves and brooms to collect litter and clean up the mess left by riots.

Buildings on the estate were damaged with thugs setting fire to the Westbury Arms pub in Ripple Road and a local supermarket was looted.

Brought together by LifeLine and the local council, the morning clean up was overseen by Nathan Singleton, director of community development for LifeLine.

He told the Post: “Young people are concerned by how they are portrayed in the media.

“It is a minority that we have seen and the majority are quiet but positive.

“We aim to make those positive youths visible by bringing them out into the community to make a difference.”

The group worked throughout the morning to ensure the area was left spotless. Playgrounds were cleared of litter as the youngsters disassociated themselves with the rioters.

The clean up attracted the attention of Gascoigne resident Reuben Ocansey, chairman for the together4gascoigne parents forum.

He said: “Young people are not mindless, I believe in them. What they are doing is great, we all need to come together.”

A similar clean up took place on the Lays Estate, Dagenham and council worker, Liam Baxter, said: “Adults need to see the youths don’t just hang around. Anyone can help and take part.”

This article features as part of the Post campaign Choose Your Future.