Up to 43,000 criminals a year are set to miss jail sentences under Labour's soft-justice masterplan.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans will even see killers and rapists leave jail early, according to Ministry of Justic (MoJ) figures.
Under the plans accepted "in principle" by Mahmood, courts will no longer impose jail terms of less than a year, except in "exceptional circumstances".
MoJ figures indicate that 79,812 criminals were handed an immediate custodial sentence last year; only 43,322 were sentenced for less than 12 months, excluding those sentenced for breach of a court order.
The plans have been approved 'in principle' by Mahmood
PABased on 2024 sentencing figures, as many as 11,000 shoplifters, 2,700 burglars, 600 muggers and 160 car thieves could now be handed a community punishment as opposed to prison, under Labour's measures.
Some 2,500 criminals convicted of carrying a knife or blade could dodge jail time, which could have major implications for tackling knife crime.
Over 300 sex offenders received terms of less than 12 months in 2024, and an additional 163 were jailed for possessing indecent images of children; all may no longer be thrown in prison under Labour's plan.
The review, carried out by former Conservative Justice Secretary David Gauke, also recommended reducing the amount of time served by serious offenders, provided they abide by "good behaviour" rules.
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Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick blamed Sir Keir Starmer for agreeing to the measures, describing it as a "gift to hardened criminals".
Jenrick said: "Offenders will be able to terrorise communities with impunity.
"The only people benefiting from this Labour Government are criminals and illegal migrants.
"Instead of offering huge sentence discounts to killers and rapists, Starmer should free up space in our prisons by deporting the 10,800 foreign offenders clogging up our jails."
Up to 43,000 criminals a year are set to miss jail sentences
GETTY"But he won't, as he's wedded to broken human rights laws and previously campaigned to keep foreign criminals in the UK."
Mahmood explained in the Commons on Thursday that she knew the "recommendations will not be welcomed by all".
Victims of crime and senior police officers have already voice their concerns for the new proposals.
A spokesman for the Justice for Victims campaign group, co-founded by the parents of Sarah Everard, who was raped and murdered by a serving Met Police officer in 2021, stated: "There isn't any excuse for letting the worst offenders get out of prison even earlier.
"We hope MPs of all parties will ensure that nothing is done to weaken the punishment of the worst offenders."
