SOFT sentences were last night blamed for a rise in knife crime and other serious offences.

Two in five sex attackers, robbers and burglars are let off with a caution, figures show.

Let-offs for violent crooks soared by 82 per cent in five years.

Cautions for sex fiends and robbers are up by almost half while those for burglars rose by a quarter.

Shadow Police Reform Minister David Ruffley said: "Soft justice is an insult to victims and undermines confidence in law and order."