Police chief wants prison debate

Mr Kernaghan was happy with the courts' response to football violence

A chief constable who claimed lenient sentencing was demoralising officers is calling for a public debate on how the courts should handle repeat offenders.

Paul Kernaghan, of Hampshire Police, said in his annual report: "I feel strongly on the need for an intelligent public debate on this subject."

Earlier this year Mr Kernaghan said some courts looked at the needs of offenders rather than victims.

The Magistrates' Association said this was untrue and the claim was unhelpful.

'Public disgust'

In the report he said: "I am not an instinctive supporter of 'harsh' or 'lenient' sentencing, but rather a firm advocate of 'effective' sentencing.

"Our goal must be to stop criminals re-offending, preferably by rehabilitation, but, if that fails, by depriving them of the opportunity to offend."

However, Mr Kernaghan highlighted what he said was the correct response to the arrests in the wake of the 2004 Portsmouth v Southampton football match.

The 105 arrests resulted in 103 convictions, with 91 offenders receiving custodial sentences and the handing down of 567 years' worth of banning orders.

Mr Kernaghan said: "It is only right that I pay tribute to the local magistrates' court, which sought to effectively mark the public's disgust at the actions of a mindless minority who besmirched the good name of Portsmouth.

"Local police and CPS experts have subsequently briefed senior officials nationally and internationally on how best to identify and prosecute thugs associated with football violence."