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Families who cause a nuisance and inflict misery on their neighbours will be given intensive support in a bid to rehabilitate them, the government has announced.

Fifty designated "Together" antisocial behaviour action areas will share £1.25m to spend on intensive support for families who cause problems through their antisocial behaviour.

Ten trailblazer areas already offer support programmes, including the development of family behaviour contracts, where those who fail to comply face reduced tenancy rights and compulsory parenting classes.

A Home Office review of 100 of the most difficult nuisance neighbour cases found that half involved threatening and intimidating behaviour. Mental health problems affected 29% of families, while drugs caused problems for 27%. But 39% of families and individuals said their behaviour had improved following a warning, an Asbo, acceptable behaviour contract or threat of eviction.

George McNamara, NCH policy adviser, said: "We are pleased that the government is taking a more rounded approach to tackling antisocial behaviour - looking at the causes rather than just using enforcement measures, which it has predominantly favoured.

"But the investment of £1.25m is very small in terms of the impact that is required."

Honor Rhodes, FWA director of services, and a member of the Home Office's nuisance neighbour expert panel, said: "It is a very robust group, and we take a very systematic approach, producing consequences for every action... saying this is the line and if you cross it these are the consequences - for your own family and the wider community. My voice is to remind people that positive reinforcement is actually more effective than negative."

Local authorities should consider using the government money on staff training, said Rhodes.