Troubled families intervention reduces crime, report finds

A Government scheme aimed at helping troubled families turn their lives around has proved "impressive", according to an official report published today.

Louise Casey, who heads the Government's Troubled Families programme, said effective intervention by social workers can dramatically reduce their involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour.

In the report, Ms Casey called on all local authorities in England to review their practices in order meet David Cameron pledge - made in the wake of last year's summer riots - to turn around the lives of the 120,000 most troubled families by 2015.

Academic evidence reportedly showed that family intervention reduced involvement in anti-social behaviour by 59 percent, involvement in crime by 45 percent and truancy, exclusion and bad behaviour at school by 52 percent.

Ms Casey said the key to success lies in assigning a dedicated social worker to each problem family, and in treating the family as a whole.