Cash is being pumped into the fight against anti-social behaviour as the Government demands councils use their legal powers more forcefully.

Brighton and Hove and West Sussex each received a £44,000 slice of £10 million distributed around the country.

Ministers want anti-social behaviour orders, the power to evict people causing problems in their neighbourhoods and close drug dens, and other measures to be used more frequently to rid communities of yobs.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it already uses the full range of powers available.

Managers are expected to use the cash to expand work around anti-social behaviour.

Communities Secretary John Denman said: “We want to spur more action, faster action and more effective results so people can be confident that problems are being tackled and stopped.”

In West Sussex evictions are the main plank of Operation Wolf, which aims to tackle nightmare neighbours in Worthing.

One woman was evicted under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act from her home at Heron Court, Victoria Road, this month, and another served eviction papers at The Quadrant in Goring.

In Brighton police closed a drug den in Sheffield Court in Brighton’s New England Quarter in February.

The city council issued a statement yesterday saying: "The money is welcome but we trust Mr Denham isn't talking about this council being inactive.

"As The Argus regularly reports, we're frequently tackling antisocial behaviour, prosecuting a string of memorable cases ranging from noisy sex and bongo drummers to confiscating piles of musical equipment from offenders. We've also gained national attention for helping shut down drug dealers.

"But we're not complacent. Figures show most people want more done and we're striving to meet that expectation."