Anti-social adults 'face sin bin'

Louise Casey told the Independent on Sunday the current family intervention schemes should be extended to include "chaotic" individuals.

Some 50 centres are starting up for families with bad behaviour records.

But critics say the schemes are nothing more than open prisons for people who have not been sentenced.

Under the current scheme, problem families are moved into secure centres, with tough rules and curfews.

Now Ms Casey wants to see anti-social individuals accommodated in these homes.

Parenting help

In an interview with the paper, she said there was evidence that the harsh regimes were effective.

"Family intervention projects - I really believe this is the approach that will work," she said. "It ain't cheap and it also isn't easy. Basically it's the end of the road."

"The priority was to do families, because they have children, first. But we are working on doing something for chaotic adults where the same approach will be taken."

Ms Casey added she was working with Whitehall to adapt the centres to cater for single people.

She said other measures to tackle anti-social behaviour included plans to extend parenting courses across the country, and powers for imposing compulsory parenting orders.

"If you are not going to take parenting help then we are going to make you take parenting help," she said.