DARWEN and Rossendale MP Jake Berry has welcomed Government proposals for tougher community sentences that will see offenders forced to spend longer in their homes.

Under new plans the maximum daily curfew will be extended from 12 to 16 hours, and the period for which they can be imposed will be raised from six to 12 months.

The proposals are part of Government plans to reform sentencing and tackle the ‘root causes’ of offending.

Mr Berry said: “These tougher curfew conditions will keep offenders in Rossendale and Darwen 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 the Government’s 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.”