Two teenagers who were caught slinging mud at police vans were given a chance to clean up their act this week.
The 16-year-olds wore balaclavas and scarpered after launching the mud attack on Sunday night - and were later arrested.
But hoping to curb their anti-social behaviour for good, Peterlee Police, in Sunderland, had just the right punishment.
The troublemakers were told to spend Thursday afternoon washing police vehicles with toothbrushes - and the parents were so supportive they even provided the brushes.
Inspector Emma Kay, of Peterlee Neighbourhood Team said: “The consequences of throwing things at moving vehicles can be far more serious than these two realise, which I’m sure they’ve had time to consider while washing the cars."
She added: "This is an opportunity not only for the two young offenders to take ownership of their actions, but also for our officers to engage with them and steer them in a more productive direction.
“The parents have been very supportive of this decision and are grateful that their boys are willing to think twice before heading down a criminal route.
“They’ve even supplied toothbrushes to make sure every detail comes out gleaming.”
Locals were full of praise for Peterlee Police and with the Facebook pot racking up 600 likes and 50 shares.
One said: "Well done but could more of this approach be done in other areas ? i.e fly tipping / littering if caught. [Spending] 6 weeks picking up rubbish from the area [would be] more beneficial than any fine, that never gets paid.
One said: "Well done but could more of this approach be done in other areas ? i.e fly tipping / littering if caught. [Spending] 6 weeks picking up rubbish from the area [would be] more beneficial than any fine, that never gets paid.’
Another added: "That's great news. They might think twice about throwing things at vehicles.
However not everyone agreed pointing out that the masked teens could have caused a serious accident.
"Slap them with a hefty fine, not a toothbrush and a bucket of soapy water, " one person said.
