THE Lord Chief Justice, Lord Taylor, has been hasty in dismissing the "get tough" sentencing policies touted at the Tory Party conference by the Home Secretary, Michael Howard.

Lord Taylor says Mr Howard's proposals for automatic jail terms, and mandatory life sentences for rapists and violent criminals who re-offend would be neither feasible nor just.

Lord Taylor argues that such measures would effectively remove the discretion enjoyed by judges who are presently able to tailor punishments to fit crimes, depending on individual circumstances.

Yet while it is true that no two crimes are the same, we believe it is vital that the public is better protected from both the fear and reality of violent and sexual crime.

Therefore, we stick by our view that people who commit very serious offences for a second time should be taken out of society for a very long time - for life where necessary.

However, Mr Howard should clarify his position in respect of the "life means life" question. His proposals for abolishing remission would be consistent with this more draconian approach, but whether this would serve the interests of justice should be fully debated.

One of Lord Taylor's most cogent points is that criminals who know they are unlikely to be caught will hardly be deterred by the addition of a few months to a potential jail term.

Improving detection rates is the surest means of protecting law-abiding citizens from criminals.

In this respect, we welcome the new Government initiative to set up an FBI-style national detective agency, staffed by top MI5 operatives.

Yet while it is important to catch the big fish of the underworld, it is equally vital that police officers are seen collaring small-fry crooks who make life miserable for local communities.

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