STRICTER curfews will see criminals serving community orders spending 16 hours a day in their homes.

Prisons and Probation Minister Crispin Blunt made a visit to the Blackburn Women’s Centre as part of a programme of events to highlight the work of Lancashire Probation Trust.

And he confirmed that tougher community sentences will be part of Government reforms.

It means the maximum daily curfew will be extended from 12 to 16 hours, and the period they can be imposed from six to 12 months.

The proposal is aimed at better protecting communities, and ensuring offenders face meaningful punishments that help stop them reoffending.

Mr Blunt said: “These tougher curfew conditions will keep offenders off the street for longer, stop them socialising in the evenings, and keep them away from situations that could land them in trouble again.

“This is part of our proposals to reform the Criminal Justice System and will help to keep communities safe whilst important work is done with offenders to turn them away from a life of crime.”

The increased powers will allow courts to vary curfew hours from day to day, for example during the week, and at weekends.