People who repeatedly flout anti-social behaviour laws should be housed in "sin bin" centres with tough rules and curfews, the Government's Respect tsar has said.
Anti-social behaviour chief Louise Casey said she wanted to extend family intervention projects so they could also accommodate "chaotic" individuals.
Some 50 "sin-bins" are currently being started up across the country, but they only cater for families who have a history of causing misery for their neighbours.
Problem clans are moved out of their council houses and into the secure centres.
Critics have claimed the boarding-school-style projects are nothing more than open prisons for people who have not been sentenced by the courts.
But, in an interview with the Independent on Sunday, Ms Casey said she had seen 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."
Ms Casey disclosed that she was working with other Whitehall units to adapt the centres so they could also take in single people.
"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. Obviously we have to get these family intervention projects up and running first."
Ms Casey said plans were being drawn up to extend parenting courses - which provide tips on topics such as discipline and diet - across the country.
There will also be powers for imposing compulsory parenting orders on families with tearaway children.
"If you are not going to take parenting help then we are going to make you take parenting help," she added.
Read More
MORE ABOUT