Worst young offenders to be named and shamed

The names of the most persistent young offenders are to be published in an attempt to shame them into better behaviour.

David Blunkett announced plans yesterday to lift reporting restrictions on repeat offenders aged under 18. Previously, their anonymity was protected by the courts. He also signalled that the Government would press ahead with plans to strip housing benefit payments from antisocial residents and from landlords who failed to deal with tenants who caused a nuisance.

As revealed in The Independent last week, the Home Secretary has drawn up wide-ranging plans to crack down on vandalism, graffiti, begging, drug users and noisy neighbours. Mr Blunkett's White Paper on antisocial behaviour, to become a government Bill next month, set out dozens of recommendations for tackling low-level offending that ministers fear can develop into serious crime.

Measures to identify the worst juvenile delinquents were added at the last moment, with Mr Blunkett promising that the Government would "come down like a ton of bricks" on unruly teenagers.

Nacro, the crime reduction charity, warned that identifying young offenders could backfire. A spokesman said: "It is likely it will stigmatise them and make their rehabilitation more problematic."

The Home Secretary confirmed that the system of spot fines for such offences as drunkenness and urinating in the street, being tested in four areas, would go nationwide and would be extended to those aged 16 and 17.

Although his White Paper dropped an earlier draft's reference to levying fines on the parents of children as young as 10, ministers later confirmed that the option was still being considered. Powers to impose the fines will be extended to organisations accredited by chief constables. Although the White Paper does not list them, it is believed they could include security guards.

Mr Blunkett conceded that his plans to make begging a recordable offence could lead to the jailing of vagrants. He said: "Would I be prepared to [imprison a beggar] if the person persistently broke the law? The answer is yes."

In other moves, a new "intensive fostering" scheme for children whose parents have failed to bring them under control will be set up.

Councils will get powers to deal with noisy neighbours - first issuing a 10-minute warning, followed by a £100 fine and ultimately the seizure of the equipment – if any – which is causing the disturbance.

Environmental health officers will also be able to shut down immediately pubs or clubs causing a noise nuisance.

Police will be able, with the authority of a court, to close a "crack house" with 48 hours notice and keep it sealed for up to six months to prevent drug dealers moving back in.

It will become an offence to sell spray paints to under-18s and police will get new powers to search for items such as spray paint, which could be used to cause criminal damage.

Centrepoint, Crisis and Shelter, the three main homeless charities, demanded a meeting with Mr Blunkett over the begging proposals. Anthony Lawton, the chief executive of Centrepoint, said yesterday: "Begging is a last resort for vulnerable people and moves to criminalise it will only further alienate them from society."