A REMARKABLE response to last week's Shop A Yob appeal has seen several youngsters seize News Shopper's offer to help them turn their lives around.

One in five of our 20 front page bus vandals has already offered to repay their debt to society with community service.

Officers from the Met's new Bustag unit have now received positive identitifications of all the graffiti artists.

The campaign to "turn a negative into a positive" has been strongly backed by senior police and council figures.

Bromley Council's children and young people portfolio holder Councillor Graham Arthur said: "These young people have brought shame upon their families, shame upon the borough and, most importantly, shame upon themselves.

"They now face a stark choice. Either to allow themselves to be branded as worthless or take the opportunity News Shopper has provided and prove they can join the vast majority of our youngsters who are a constant source of pride.

"The decision they take now may well shape their entire lives and I welcome the news several have already chosen the right course of action."

The Met's Chief Superintendent Mike Humphrey revealed information had come in from parents, neighbours, teachers and pupils alike.

He said: "We're very pleased with the support we've received from the public and newspapers such as News Shopper."

Petts Wood and District Residents' Association chairman Peter Varley said: "News Shopper's actions will hopefully go some way to making life more bearable."

Bromley Victim Support manager Cora Green said: "Well done to these kids for coming forward. Now we just hope it snowballs.

"They need to reflect on the impact of this sort of crime, which really affects the community. Then hopefully they can draw a line under it."

In March, thugs temporarily blinded Bob Sabetian, 14, with pepper spray as he sat on a bus in Mottingham.

His mother Tina Franklin Knight, of St Paul's Cray, said: "Bob hasn't been on a bus on his own once since the attack. I would support anything which will make them safer."

Four pupils from Darrick Wood School were excluded for three days after ringing "disrepute" on the school in Lovibonds Avenue, Orpington.

Headteacher Barbara Rhymaun said: "I'm very disappointed in their behaviour. They've let us down badly. It's very rare and that's why I'm taking it so seriously."

But News Shopper's offer to help these youngsters has left some a little confused.

Danielle Wiggan, 15, said: "I'll do community service, how much do you pay? If you don't pay I'm not doing it.

"Please don't put it in the paper again. If you do, make sure it's a little story in the middle pages, not on the front page again.

"I'm really sorry but how do you know it was me?"

To see which youngsters have offered to repay society, click here