Children as young as 10 caught behaving anti-socially will be fingerprinted and have their DNA sampled before being marched home to their parents for an instant £30-£40 fine in a scheme to be launched next month.

The plan is part of Tony Blair's "respect" agenda, which is targeting anti-social behaviour among the young. Penalty notices will be issued for nuisance crimes such as vandalism, harassing neighbours and dropping litter.