18,583 prisoners released early

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January saw 2,386 offenders freed up to 18 days before the end of their sentences, under moves designed to free space in overcrowded jails.

It brought the total number of criminals let out early in England and Wales since last June to 18,583.

In total, 3,484 people convicted of violence against the person have been freed, along with 409 robbers, 1,730 burglars and 790 people serving sentences for drugs.

Offenders freed under the End of Custody Licence (ECL) scheme have committed 367 alleged further crimes since last June, the figures showed.

Of the total, 673 have been recalled to jail for failing to comply with terms of the release, but 124 are on the run after failing to surrender themselves.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "All prisoners released on ECL would have to have been released anyway in a maximum of 18 days' time.

"Of those released we have been notified that about 4% have been recalled.

"Just 1% have been notified to the National Offender Management Service as allegedly offending during the ECL period. It is for this reason that ECL operates according to precise fixed criteria."

She added: "We are monitoring the scheme carefully. So far the data collected about ECL indicates that the scheme is working well and the rate of recall has been lower than expected."