Crimefighter has been awarded £1,000 to stop bored youngsters misbehaving

Maggie Smeeth, from Whitehawk, Brighton, is using the Home Office grant to create the Green Fingers Organic Garden.

Youngsters from the area, many of whom are on acceptable behaviour contracts after being caught committing minor offences, will work the disused plot of land near Twineham Close on the estate.

As a member of the local Crime Prevention Forum Mrs Smeeth has helped run a number of projects to tackle crime on the estate, including a crackdown on BB guns in January.

And she hopes keeping the children entertained with the garden will prevent them slipping into breaking the law - and improve safety in Whitehawk at the same time.

Her bid is one of only 24 projects across England and Wales to receive money from the Government’s Community Crime Fighters Fund.

But Mrs Smeeth, 67, of Plaistow Close, said a lot of work is needed before the allotment opens at the end of July.

She said: “It’s going to be all hands on deck up until then but I don’t want the youngsters to get bored during summer.

“A lot of problems come from youngsters not being busy.

“It won’t just be hard work. We’ll make it fun as well.

“We’re going to have three gardens built so kids from age of three upwards can come and enjoy it as much as the older ones.

“The plan is that once we’re growing enough we will sell the produce on to local residents and the kids can keep some of the money.”

A team of young offenders have already helped clear the garden as part of Community Payback.

When it is complete, the youngsters will be supported by a team of adult volunteers.

Mrs Smeeth said: “From what i’ve seen if you talk to the kids with respect then they will talk to you with respect.

“The youngsters are the ones who are building the garden and they’re proud of what they’ve already done.

“If anyone vandalises it then it won’t be me they answer to.”

Louise Casey, the Government's neighbourhood, crime and justice adviser, said: “Local people are the key to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.

“They know what is really going on their in neighbourhood, what the real problems are and where residents' concerns lie. By awarding the grants to local people who are already active in their communities we can help make their communities safer."