Labour’s emergency measure of releasing criminals early to ease prison overcrowding is opposed by a majority of Britons.

Older people in particular do not want to see offenders let back onto the streets.

There is deep concern this will lead to a spike in reoffending and a new wave of antisocial behaviour.

Far from wanting prisoners set free early, the Ipsos polling shows a vast majority of Britons are worried that sentences are too short.

Just over half (53 per cent) oppose the early-release scheme – and this rises to 64 per cent for those aged 55 to 75. While 74 per cent think prison sentences are too short, just 22 per cent say they are too long.

And 61 per cent think early releases will lead to an increase in reoffending. Sixty per cent are braced for an increase in antisocial behaviour, and 57 per cent expect an increase in violent crime.

Fewer than three out of 10 (28 per cent) think the scheme will lead to better standards of living conditions for inmates.

Opposition to the early release initiative is strongest among Reform UK voters (81 per cent) and Conservative supporters (73 per cent).

Overall, just 21 per cent of respondents supported the plan.

The polling uncovered major concerns about the criminal justice system. Eighty-one per cent of Britons are concerned about the time it takes for alleged criminals to face trial; eight out of 10 are worried there are not enough police officers; and 79 per cent have concerns about prison overcrowding.

However, the polling also shows the Tories have a long way to go before their reputation as Britain’s party of law and order is restored.

When asked who is responsible for prison overcrowding in England and Wales, 62 per cent blamed the last Conservative government.

One in four Britons believe Labour has the best policies for tackling crime and anti-social behaviour – putting Sir Keir’s party ahead of the Tories

A Conservative source said Labour’s early release scheme was “very short-termist”, adding: “The worrying thing is they don’t seem to be doing anything else like an emergency prison building programme which would actually solve this problem. Labour has taken the first opportunity to implement policy that reflects their view that prison is not a deterrent.”

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “This Government inherited a prison system in crisis and was forced to take difficult but necessary action so we can keep locking up dangerous offenders. We will launch a review of sentencing that will ensure we have a justice system that is fit for purpose, and never have to release criminals early again.”