Ministers 'braced for crime rise'
The government is preparing itself for the first rise in crime in 12 years if there is a downturn in the economy, according to a leaked report.
The Sunday Times said the report by Downing Street's strategy unit predicts prison numbers could increase by 25% to 100,000 within five years.
It also suggests other strategies for fighting crime, including "chemical castration" and alcohol rationing.
No 10 said they were ideas and there would be no decision for some time.
The 60-page report leaked to the Sunday Times also criticises the police for failing to improve their performance despite large budget increases.
The report, called Policy Review: Crime, Justice and Cohesion, warns that for the first time since the 1990s, when crime rates began to fall steadily, the number of offences are predicted to start rising because of changing economic conditions.
Its other findings include that prisoners numbers are rising beyond capacity, there is no money for new prisons and that nine out of 10 crimes are either not reported or go unpunished.
The government is preparing itself for the first rise in crime in 12 years if there is a downturn in the economy, according to a leaked report.
The Sunday Times said the report by Downing Street's strategy unit predicts prison numbers could increase by 25% to 100,000 within five years.
It also suggests other strategies for fighting crime, including "chemical castration" and alcohol rationing.
No 10 said they were ideas and there would be no decision for some time.
The 60-page report leaked to the Sunday Times also criticises the police for failing to improve their performance despite large budget increases.
The report, called Policy Review: Crime, Justice and Cohesion, warns that for the first time since the 1990s, when crime rates began to fall steadily, the number of offences are predicted to start rising because of changing economic conditions.
Its other findings include that prisoners numbers are rising beyond capacity, there is no money for new prisons and that nine out of 10 crimes are either not reported or go unpunished.
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