The leader of Barking and Dagenham council has warned families could be evicted from their homes if their children do not inform on people who commit knife crime.
Darren Rodwell made the threat as the Labour-controlled east London authority urged parents to keep closer tabs on their children in the summer holidays amid fears of rising knife violence.
He said the council would offer support in the first instance but if parents declined, the authorities were 'likely to view them as part of the problem'.
The council is planning to write to parents spelling out their responsibilities in stopping violence and antisocial behaviour.
Families will be urged to inform police of any videos of crime shared with their children on social media and report, anonymously if necessary, crimes witnessed by their children.
However, his policy was described by one victim of teenage knife violence as 'wrong for lots of reasons' and by a senior youth worker as 'counterproductive'.
Cllr Rodwell said: 'If your child is involved in an incident and knows who the perpetrators are, and refuses to speak out, we will look at reviewing your housing agreement.
'Everyone must play their part in stopping these crimes. As parents, it is up to us to know where our children are, and that we play an active role.'
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