Hundreds of career criminals were handed ten or MORE cautions last year, it was revealed today.

The shock figures expose how hardened offenders are being let off with repeated slaps on the wrist. A total of 1,873 criminals have received ten or more cautions over the last eight years with 238 getting ten-plus in 2008 alone.

This figure has rocketed 74 per cent since 2000.

Another 60 were given nine cautions and 45,000 offenders were given two or more cautions in 2008. The Conservatives said last night that the figures showed cautions were no longer a final warning.

Shadow home office minister David Ruffley said: "Offenders are not going to court as most people would expect. Repeat offenders should expected to face court, not a 'slap on the wrist' caution."

But a Ministry of Justice spokeman said: "Cautions enable police to deal swiftly with low-level offending."