Mr Herbert came under sustained questioning after new figures showed that just 19% of those convicted of knife crimes were going to jail. The Tory manifesto had promised ‘anyone convicted of a knife crime would receive a custodial sentence.’

He said that prison numbers would be "broadly stabilised" and that the Coalition would make prison work by increasing rehabilitation rates.

He defended draft proposals that would cut prison sentences by up to 50% if people made early guilty pleas.

Finally, Mr Herbert promised that the first elections for police chiefs would be held next year.

Comments

[Mr Angry]

I do enjoy a good laugh on a Sunday and Nick Herbert's pathetic attempts to salvage what little is left of the Conservative's law and order credentials gave me an excellent giggle. How stupid are Cameron and Clarke if they think that anyone is falling for this rubbish?

Nobody gives a fig about elected Police Commissioners, what the public wants, and what they very clearly tell us every time they are asked, are meaningful custodial sentences for criminals and protection and safety for the law abiding majority. Plainly these are things that do not matter to the rich Notting Hill brigade who have never experienced the fear of living on a sink estate. Perhaps a viewing of the Michael Caine film Harry Brown should become compulsory for all Cabinet members so that at least they gain a vague idea of what life is like outside of their gilded cages.