Scottish justice minister Cathy Jamieson has launched a new bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

On Wednesday she pledged an additional £2m to fund projects focused on 'troubled families'.

The Executive is seeking to bring together health, housing and social work professionals with the aim of 'breaking the cycle' of anti-social behaviour.

Targeted families will face intensive supervision and intervention, with sanctions if targets for improved behaviour are not achieved.

"A small number of families are responsible for most, and usually the most serious, antisocial behaviour in each community," said Jamieson.

"Their behaviour has a disproportionate affect on the community in which they live.

"Dealing with their problems therefore helps not just those families - but the families who live next door, on the same stair, in the same street.

"Many of those involved in anti-social behaviour have multiple and complex economic and social problems - and that it is only by addressing those problems that we'll get longer term solutions for communities.

"I accept that historically there has been an over-emphasis on supporting 'difficult' families - and insufficient attention given to supervision and ultimate sanctions if support and supervision are rejected.

"What this has meant is that the rights of individuals in the family have taken precedence over the rights of the community."

The minister added that "bringing all relevant partners together" would "make a real difference to turning around lives".