The government looks set to reform the procedure for using anti-social behaviour orders to make it easier for local authorities to evict nuisance tenants.

Housing and regeneration minister Lord Falconer said the system was too complex and long-winded.

Speaking at last week's National Housing Federation conference, Lord Falconer said: "Anti-social behaviour orders need to be used more but we must improve the procedure."

He said that people were anxious about giving evidence in court and that local authorities should have the power to make decisions about whether an anti-social behaviour order should be imposed.

But he added that it was important to look at the problems of the people who caused trouble for the rest of the community. "We need to help them as well," he said.

Falconer also stressed the importance of involving ethnic minorities in local strategic partnerships. He said their needs had not been focused on enough, adding: "We have seen this summer that this has caused horrendous problems. Local strategic partnerships must focus on the needs of ethnic minorities, not just in relation to housing but overall."