Campaigners have warned that government plans to clamp down on unruly youngsters could breach human rights laws.

Publishing new legal advice from a top barrister, a group of 13 children's charities launched a fresh broadside on provisions contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill.

The planned expansion of police powers was branded a "nationwide curfew on young people" by QC Anthony Jennings.

But the government rejected the claims, saying that other countries signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights had made similar legal provisions.

The police are set to gain new powers to disperse groups of two or more people, and to return under-16s to their home if they are found wandering the streets after 9.00pm without an adult.

Moves to allow newspapers to name children who are handed Anti-Social Behaviour Orders could also breach the Children Act, the campaigners warned.

Bob Reitemeier of the Children's Society said he was concerned that the measures could see some children "unfairly punished for simply being children".

"This bill blurs the distinction between civil and criminal law, which is an extremely worrying development," he added.

"This is likely to draw more children into the criminal justice system."

In a joint statement, the charities - including the National Children's Bureau, NCH and Barnardo's - demanded urgent changes to the proposals.

"Simply being tough on children is not the answer," they said.

"We believe that legislation should not be made on the basis of prejudice and fear, or used as a way to divide communities, justify intolerance and promote discrimination."

But the Home Office defended the proposals, saying "the rights of communities must be paramount".

"The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill is a wide-ranging and radical set of proposals to give local people and agencies the powers to deal with this problem which makes life a misery for so many in our communities," said a spokesman.

"It will help build better, safer communities for the law abiding majority."