David Blunkett put crime at the heart of Labour's political agenda today as he announced a series of initiatives that would cross over into a third Labour term in government.

The Home Secretary told the party conference in Brighton that weekend jails are to be introduced across England and Wales, allowing criminals to serve part-time sentences. The move, which has been piloted in two areas, angered hardline anti-crime campaigners who argue new prisons are needed.

Mr Blunkett also announced another 1,300 new prison places to take the total increased capacity over the next year to 3,700, although these will come from refurbishment of existing buildings and new facilities on current sites.

Other announcements from Mr Blunkett include a new year blitz on crack houses and the naming and shaming of youngsters who breach anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos).

"Without security and safety, without freedom from fear, hearts and minds cannot be won over for the progressive agenda we wish to see from our Government," he told the conference.

"Equality, opportunity and confidence cannot be a reality for people in their homes and their neighbourhoods if they are so worried, so concerned, so fearfulk of what is going tohappen to them that they cannot hear the messages we are giving them."

Mr Blunkett said an 8.4 per cent increase in funding for prisons and probation will also pay for 1,800 more probation officers by 2006.

He also announced a £90 million package for counter-terrorism, the bulk of which will be spent on recruiting new Special Branch officers to work alongside MI5. The increase means the counter-terrorism budget has increased by 50 per cent since September 11 and will have doubled by 2008.

If we did not do what we are doing and we didn't get this right we could say goodbye to a third term in Government," the Home Secretary said.

"One thing is absolutely certain: we would never be forgiven again if we didn't take the legislative measures to back up our counter terrorism and security forces and make sure noone threatens our lives unnecessarily. "

Mr Blunkett's proposals on weekend jails received short shrift from victims' rights campaigners.

Norman Brennan, of the Victims of Crime Trust, attacked the plans as "an elastoplast on a festering wound".

"If we are to have any effect on violent crime and gun crime and serious crime which is out of control, the Government must stand up and be honest and say they have failed and make sure the appropriate new prisons are built," he said.

"They have to send a strong message to the criminal fraternity that they will not be tolerated and the prisons are there to lock them up."

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