Prison sentencing reforms will lead to up to 6% rise in crime, police chiefs say

Government plans include more short sentences being suspended and earlier releases from jail

Government plans to radically reform sentencing will lead to an increase in crime by as much as 6% in a single year, according to police chiefs.

The reforms, which cover England and Wales, involve a presumption against short sentences of a year or less, with community sentences used instead, and those jailed being released earlier than currently the case.