Conservative leader Michael Howard today unveiled hard-line new sentencing policies which he believes could see an extra 14,000 criminals behind bars if the Tories win the upcoming General Election.

At a keynote speech in Darlington, Mr Howard said Labour's early release scheme would be scrapped, criminals would serve the sentence laid down by the courts in full and third-time burglars and drug-dealers would face mandatory minimum jail terms.

He accused Prime Minister Tony Blair of leading Britain into a "moral quagmire" by blurring the distinction between right and wrong.

Launching his party's sentencing policy at Darlington Football Club's Williamson Motors Stadium, Mr Howard said: "I believe that people who break the law must pay a price.

"In recent years, that clear message has become shrouded in political correctness. Most people feel that the law is not really on their side. They think that the punishment no longer fits the crime."

Mr Howard also joined Cleveland Police on early morning raids which saw three people arrested and a quantity of what was believed to be cannabis seized.