'Jail let-off plan proof Labour soft on crime'

LABOUR have proved they are “ideologically incapable of getting tough on crime” as plans to scrap the majority of short prison sentences came into effect.

- BY MICHAEL KNOWLES

Over 40,000 offenders who would have been locked up for less than a year will get a suspended or community sentence.

It means most of the 11,000 shoplifters jailed each year will stay free.

An estimated 98% of the thieves previously got less than a year inside. Britain is being hit by a shoplifting epidemic costing £2.2billion a year.