Dozens of criminals could be released by the Labour Party in a matter of days after prison guards warned that prisons could become “clogged” with convicted rioters.

Dozens of criminals could be released in the next few days if the Labour Party launches an emergency plan to avoid prison overcrowding following the conviction of more rioters.

Operation Early Dawn, tHe The government's emergency plan to prevent suspects from being taken to court from police cells unless there is space in prison is due to be presented next week.

The long-standing contingency measure could mean defendants are released on bail while their court dates are postponed or adjourned at short notice.

Previously, riots and violence had broken out across the UK after three young girls were stabbed to death during a dance lesson in Southport on July 29.

By the end of Thursday, a total of 460 people had appeared before the district courts in connection with the unrest and about 300 had been taken into custody.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government (pictured: August 8) could launch Operation Early Dawn, the emergency plan that prevents suspects from being brought to court from police cells unless there is space available in prison, as early as Monday morning.

The long-standing emergency measure could mean defendants are released on bail while their court dates are postponed or adjourned at short notice (HMP Pentonville archive photo).

The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has said that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government is likely to implement the emergency plan “sometime next week”.

Mark Fairhurst, the POA's national chairman, told BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House on Sunday that an announcement could be made as early as tomorrow morning, but warned that the move risked “clogging up police cells”.

Mr Fairhurst said: “This is all the result of the rioters. Last week we had the biggest influx of new admissions I have seen in a long time.”

“We had 397 new admissions. Since Friday we only had 340 places left in the closed men's accommodation for adults, which is under the greatest pressure.

“I would not be surprised if the Justice Department announced sometime tomorrow morning that Operation Early Dawn will begin sometime next week, probably starting Tuesday.”

Mr Fairhurst said the move would put pressure on police forces.

This comes after unrest and violent riots broke out across the UK following the stabbed deaths of three young girls at a dance class in Southport on July 29. Pictured is CCTV image from the Crown Prosecution Service showing people setting fire to the premises of the Spellow Hub in Liverpool during a riot on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Police officers in riot gear are seen on the streets of Hartlepool following a violent protest on July 31, 2024.

He added: “They are currently clogging up the police cells so that they no longer have the power to arrest people and put them in a police cell.”

“It has massive knock-on effects on the entire criminal justice system.”

Mr Fairhurst warned that pressure on the prison system was “really, really big” and that offenders in the most depressed regions faced prison sentences far from their home countries.

He said: “The bottlenecks are currently in the north-east and north-west. If you commit an offence in those areas, you are likely to be taken 100 to 200 miles from home to serve your sentence because there are simply not enough places there.”

Last month, the Ministry of Justice said violence and self-harm in prisons had reached “unacceptable” levels and that prisons were “on the verge of collapse” due to overcrowding.

Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood announced plans to reduce the proportion of prison sentences that prisoners must serve behind bars from 50 percent to 40 percent.

This temporary move – which does not apply to people convicted of sexual offences, terrorism, domestic violence or certain violent crimes – is expected to lead to the release of 5,500 offenders in September and October.

Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood (pictured August 8) has announced plans to reduce the proportion of the sentence that prisoners must serve behind bars from 50 percent to 40 percent.

Last Monday, the government confirmed that those involved in the recent unrest would not be exempt from plans to release some prisoners early.

MEPs have already approved the laws that will allow the plan to be implemented. Any changes to the legislation could require a short-term update if additional exemptions are to be included.

Operation Early Dawn was launched by the Conservative government in May to combat prison overcrowding.

The Ministry of Justice was asked for a comment.