Intensive "non-negotiable" intervention will be given to 1,000 of the most challenging young people to help prevent antisocial behaviour, the government announced today.

Children's secretary Ed Balls and children's minister Beverley Hughes unveiled the measure as part of a £218.5m youth taskforce action plan.

It pledged tough enforcement where behaviour is unacceptable or illegal, non-negotiable support to address underlying causes of poor behaviour and better prevention of problems.