Brent has been identified as having 810 troubled families

According to government figures, 810 households in the borough are blighted by youth crime or anti-social behaviour, joblessness and truancy.

Brent has the tenth highest number of ‘troubled families’ living in London, according to figures from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

The borough has been identified as having 810 households blighted by youth crime or anti-social behaviour, joblessness and truancy.

In addition the cost of responding to their problems could be costing taxpayers an estimated £75,000 per year, per family.

Under a new government drive, the families will be assigned a specialist Jobcentre Plus advisers to help adults get back into work.

They will be given intensive support including sessions on CV writing, job interview skills and they will be informed about training opportunities and job vacancies in their area.

Families will also be put in contact with local employers.

Tower Hamlets has been identified as the borough with the most troubled families at 1,120, with the City of London coming at the bottom with just 25.

Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “There are thousands of individuals and families in the UK living troubled lives blighted by crime, unemployment, and truancy.

“Worklessness can be a particular issue for some of these families and helping them get and keep a job can be vital in turning their lives around, bringing improved structure and stability with increased aspirations and confidence.”