Policemen may or may not be getting younger, but street wardens certainly are.

The crime-busting adult patrols want to build on their successes in Rose Hill and Blackbird Leys by offering children the chance to make a difference to their neighbourhood.

Comments made by the young people we interviewed show all too clearly that kids are not immune to their environments -- ugliness and mess upset them as much as the rest of us.

At the very least, this initiative will have a powerful educational and social value for the growing numbers of children involved.

But the experience of those running a similar project in Swindon suggests its benefits could be substantial and long-lasting.

Vandalism, graffiti and petty crime are reported to have dropped in the parts of that town where the children have been on patrol.

Where the threat of punishment fails to deter wrong-doers, the community spirit reawakened by youngsters dedicated to keeping their neighbourhood in a decent state appears to have done the trick.

We wish the organisers the very best of luck and urge businesses in the city to offer their support, financially where appropriate.