Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat demands crackdown on prolific criminals

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat has called for prolific criminals to face tougher sentences.

The shadow security minister has set out plans which would block such offenders from benefiting from the early release scheme.

They would also be placed on a lifelong licence subjecting them to ongoing monitoring after being let out.

Mr Tugendhat said: "In the aftermath of the shocking riots this summer, I made it clear that criminality and lawlessness must face the full force of the law.

"As the next Conservative leader and then Prime Minister, my mission will be simple: to safeguard the happiness and prosperity of the British people. This cannot happen if communities do not feel safe or if crime goes unpunished.

"Like millions across the country, I was appalled by the sight of thousands of criminals walking free under Labour's early release scheme, celebrating outside the prisons they had just left.

"We must not allow prolific offenders to go unpunished and roam freely on our streets.

"Under my plans, we will impose tougher sentencing and ensure that communities feel safe and supported by a greater community police presence.

"We are the party of law and order - I will act decisively and offer the leadership that delivers on these principles."

The Tonbridge MP would also remove the maximum sentencing cap for those convicted of organised crime.

And he wants to recruit 2,000 new neighbourhood police officers and create a dedicated task force for "hot spot" policing, which would focus resources on areas with the highest concentration of crime.

It comes as Labour has come under fire for the release of thousands of prisoners after serving just 40% of their sentences.