The Met's Safer Neighbourhoods teams have joined forces with London Probation and local authorities across the capital, in a new and unique approach to rehabilitate them.

Launched this week in Ealing, Community Payback will see offenders doing unpaid work supervised by London Probation staff, alongside Safer Neighbourhoods officers and staff from local councils, in a bid to repay local residents.

This partnership will see offenders tackling quality-of-life crimes and issues identified by people living and working in the area as the concerns that most affect their daily lives and feelings of security. Tasks will include removing graffiti and litter; pruning bushes and trees to improve visibility; and improving security by making footpaths safer.

As well as providing environmental improvements to local areas, the initiative provides offenders with essential life skills, which aim to prevent them from becoming involved in any further offences.

Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick said: "Safer Neighbourhoods teams aim to target the issues most affecting the public's feelings of safety and security. Graffiti and litter can have a direct impact on perceptions of crime and by improving a few unsightly areas we can offer reassurance to local communities.

He added: "Community Payback is a joint initiative which will see offenders making a real difference across London. We also hope the scheme will show them consequences of their criminal actions and of making the wrong choices in life. We wish to emphasise the importance and value of being a responsible member of the community with a clear message that they are also paying something back for some of the harm they have caused."

London Probation's Chief Officer, David Scott, said: "Working in partnership is a way forward for London Probation. We are integrating our expertise to help make communities safer for local residents and to help offenders put something back into the areas in which they live."

Ealing Council Leader, Councillor Leo Thomson, said: "Community Payback is a perfect example of what can be achieved through strong partnership working. It delivers tangible benefits to local residents as well as helping offenders redress some of the harm they have caused. We have already seen positive results for Ealing since this scheme was launched in our borough and I look forward to this continuing."