PM plans eviction of problem families

The prime minister has pledged that problem families will be evicted from their homes for up to three months.

Tony Blair told the Sun newspaper on Friday that his anti-social behaviour action plan, to be unveiled next week, will include powers for the police and local authorities to act against so-called 'neighbours from hell,' even if they are homeowners.

The move forms the latest part of the Blair's personal 'respect agenda', launched as a priority immediately after last year's general election.

He is set to outline the blueprint of new powers in a speech next Tuesday, as he seeks to refocus the government on the goal.

Tougher penalties will also be held out against drug dealers, parents of out of control children, and drunk and violent yobs.

"People have to know that if they are making life hell for others, they are going to pay the price," Blair said in his first new year interview.

"There's a duty to respect the rights of those who live around you.

"People who come in at two or three in the morning, playing music in a destructive way, abusing anyone who dares to take them on — that is just not acceptable. They must learn to behave properly to other people.

"I recognise this is controversial but if we are going to restore respect in the community we have to make sure the civil liberties of people to live free from fear comes first."

The initiative is likely to anger Labour left-wingers and civil liberties campaigners.

But Blair said it is based on a similar scheme already in use in Scotland which is showing good results.

And he said he refused to be fatalistic about the rise of yobbish behaviour.

"The worst thing about the situation is people thinking that if they behave in a particular way, then no one is going to do anything to them," the prime minister said.

"They mustn't be allowed to think that nothing will happen to them if they carry on.

"Once they start to realise there is a comeback from the community, you often don't need to carry out the punishment."

And he said he did not want to stop young people having fun.

"People need protection. I have absolutely nothing against young people going out on a Friday or Saturday night and having a good time," he said.

"We've all had one too many glasses of wine, or one too many beers. But we don't have a desire then to go out and beat people up.

"The answer is to come down hard on the small minority who abuse the situation. It's one of the few things that makes me really very angry."