The offenders will carry out work like cleaning graffiti

They will be supervised while carrying out jobs such as cleaning off graffiti, removing litter and even pruning bushes and trees.

The project also hopes to give them skills to stop them re-offending.

The project is a joint operation between the Probation Service and local authorities and is part of the Met's Safer Neighbourhoods Programme.

Restorative justice

Several other London boroughs have taken up the scheme since it was launched nationally last in 2004 and Community Payback will be rolled out across the city by the end of the year.

The Westminster City Council scheme was launched at the Gabriel's Community Hall, central London, which the offenders helped redecorate.

Westminster Councillor Audrey Lewis said: "This initiative is a further example of restorative justice in Westminster.

"It show the public that offenders are being punished, it delivers environmental improvements to local areas and, most importantly, will give young offenders, maybe for the first time, a taste of doing something worthwhile."