Just one criminal goes to prison for almost every 100 crimes that are committed sparking fears millions of offenders are escaping tough punishment.

Those jailed last year made up just eight per cent of all offenders convicted in the courts while hundreds of thousands more never appeared before a judge and were handed a caution, fine or other out-of-court punishment.

Many more criminals are never caught and brought to justice.

It comes at a time when there is growing concern that the criminal justice system is fuelling a “revolving door” of offending