Minister: We need to build more prisons

MORE prisons will be built so there is plenty of room to lock up career criminals and serial thieves, a government minister said yesterday.

- Michael Knowles

Richard Holden said those "persistently breaking the law" should be jailed and "if we need to build more prison places for them then so be it".

There are plans to create an extra 20,000 prison places but jails, already full, could face more immediate pressure.

Under proposals being considered, judges will be required to jail more repeat offenders.

Tougher sentences are being planned for offences including shoplifting, burglary, theft and common assault.

Repeat shoplifters could be jailed after between 10 and 20 offences, sources suggested.

Mr Holden, a Transport Minister, told LBC radio station: "I think sometimes the police haven't concentrated enough on some of these offences.