Action over families from hell.

A NEW crackdown on families from hell is to be announced by ministers.

The Government will publish a new package of measures designed to improve the way bad parents bring up their children.

Ministers hope the moves will rehabilitate Britain's worst families who cause nuisance and misery to thousands of neighbours.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears will announce the new measures today, plus initiatives targeting other forms of anti-social behaviour, during a visit to a family support project in Eccles, Salford.

Findings from a Home Office review of 100 of Britain's most difficult families will show that 45% believed the Government's crackdown had helped change their behaviour.

Police and local councils are using warnings, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders or the threat of eviction.

The Home Office spokeswoman said the review supported the Government's view that tackling problem families was key to getting a grip on nuisance neighbours.

The majority of cases dealt with - 67% - involved families with children. Half of all cases involved threatening or intimidating behaviour.

Ms Blears will also meet a couple who recently won a Home Office Taking a Stand Award for standing up to two families who terrorised the estate they lived on.

The minister and director of the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, Louise Casey, will meet workers at the NCH Salford Assisted Families Project in Eccles to look at how they provide support for problem families.