Persistent offenders as young as 12 in Britain can be locked up on remand as part of an attempt to tackle youth crime.
Home Secretary Mr David Blunkett announced that courts are to get broad powers to lock up child offenders to stop them committing new crimes on bail.
Mr Blunkett will strengthen magistrates' powers to remand 12- to 16-year-olds into secure accommodation. Prisons are believed to be clearing an extra 600 places to cope with the knock-on effects of the extra inmates.
Magistrates can only remand child offenders if they are suspected of committing a very serious crime punishable with at least 14 years in jail. But they will now be able to remand in custody for a much wider range of offences.
Mr Blunkett told a youth crime conference in London: "I'm determined that we close the loophole that allows young offenders on bail to continue to offend with impunity.
"These youngsters make a mockery of the police and cause considerable distress to their victims through their burglary, vandalism and car crime".
Mr Blunkett also announced a scheme that electronically tags young criminals and puts them on a night-time curfew will be expanded from 41 to 46 areas of the country.
PA