Police to target problem families

POLICE and council officials are targeting problem families in London to reduce crime.

The pilot scheme is aimed at families with problems including drug-taking, alcoholism, crime and truancy. Up to 75 families a year are taking part in the Westminster project.

Instead of being given help from a variety of agencies, each family will be assigned a single help unit. Westminster officials say about three per cent of their families are considered to be in difficulty - often generating crime ranging from anti-social behaviour to burglary.

The government-funded Family Recovery Project is voluntary but people are told if they do not sign up they could face tougher action.