The government has launched a new squad of troubleshooters that can be called on to work in local communities to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour.
The Respect Squad, made up of experienced staff from the police and local authorities, aims to accelerate action when police and local authorities need extra support, or where severe cases of anti-social behaviour are going unchecked.
The 10-strong squad can be called on by local authorities, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, police chiefs, councillors and MPs where other channels of action appear to have been exhausted.
Home Secretary Dr John Reid said: "We should and will be unremitting in our efforts to drive up standards of behaviour and enforce a culture of respect, for the benefit of all."
The move is part of a wider government drive for criminal justice reform, which will include an increase in summary justice such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Fixed Penalty Notices.
Speaking in Bristol last week, prime mininster Tony Blair also announced a major rollout of neighbourhood policing - which he described as a modern-day version of the bobby on the beat.
Blair said the aim of the initiative was to dramatically increase the visibility of police in local communities.