Hughes: Measures go beyond containment

Children's minister Beverley Hughes insists today's proposals to mentor troubled children are part of an effort to seek real change in tackling antisocial behaviour.

Ms Hughes' comments came as she and schools secretary Ed Balls unveiled the government's youth taskforce action plan, which includes plans to provide 1,000 young people with mentors.

"To change, rather than just contain, we need tough action on the underlying problems alongside tough enforcement," she said.

"Intervening early and requiring young people and their parents to address the causes as well as the behaviour itself, will both prevent antisocial behaviour and deal with it more effectively where it does occur."

By spotting early-warning signs it should be possible to identify "where things are going wrong – poor parenting, lessons skipped and complaints about behaviour".

She said the action plan would "tackle the causes to make lasting changes in the behaviour of some of the most difficult young people".