Tens of thousands fewer people are being remanded in custody but let out to commit further crimes, an MP has said.

Shipley Tory MP Philip Davies said offenders were free to commit more crimes as long as they were of a lesser offence than the original crime.

Figures given to him by the Government show in 2003 106,700 people were remanded in custody, compared to 74,500 in 2007 – the latest available year. Numbers have been falling year on year.

Mr Davies said: “Fewer and fewer people are being remanded in custody and this is what drives the police and people up the wall. The people being bailed to commit more crimes – it is not because there are fewer people committing crimes. They are likely to commit more crimes before their trial.”