Drop in conviction rate highlights need for more effective criminal justice system - Clegg

4.19.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 29th May 2006

Responding to figures showing that conviction rates for the most violent crimes have fallen to below 10% since Labour came to power in 1997, while incidences of offences like serious wounding and rape have risen, Nick Clegg MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, said "In many ways these figures are just as devastating to the Government's credibility as the recent spate of Home Office controversies.

"Falling conviction rates have coincided with a sharp increase in re-offending rates which are now amongst the highest in the western world.

"It is a sign of Tony Blair's failure that 70% of young offenders re-offend within two years of leaving prison, and now we know that serious offences lead to a lower rate of convictions.

"These figures vindicate Ming Campbell's call for a new liberal, and effective approach to our criminal justice system."