Ministry of Justice would replace Lord Chancellor's Department

Victims of crime would have a chance to explain to criminals face to face the consequences of their actions under a system of restorative justice backed by the Liberal Democrats.

Delegates also voted to give victims a greater say in the treatment of offenders as part of a justice policy drawn up to help reduce the number of released prisoners who return to crime. And the party put fresh emphasis on the rehabilitation of non-violent offenders by arguing that more should receive community sentences.

Delegates voted to create a ministry of justice, replacing the Lord Chancellor's Department and performing some functions now controlled by the Foreign Office.

Simon Hughes, the party's home affairs spokesman, attempted to dispel the party's reputation for being soft on crime. He said: "If offences are committed, the courts should ask this question first: Is this a violent or a non-violent offence? If serious and violent, the perpetrator should expect a custodial sentence. If serious but non-violent, the courts should presume that this is best dealt with by alternatives to custody." Mr Hughes said that dangerous drivers who kill or maim should go to prison with hard-drug dealers or peddlers of child pornography.

With the exception of violent offenders "the best punishment should be a punishment in the community", he said. "Cheque fraud may be wrong, but it is not in the same league as stabbing somebody." Such a strategy would require strengthening the probation service. "We will always work for rehabilitation and reform," Mr Hughes said. "But we will never let either the thuggish individual or the tyrannical government abuse their power at the expense of others."

The party had a heated debate about whether to allow the victims of crime to make "impact statements" to the court between the verdict and sentencing, but delegates rejected the proposal after arguing that it could interfere with the workings of the justice system.

They voted to protect the right of defendants to jury trial and to end the use of criminal penalties for minor offences such as not paying their television licence. The party also voted to improve help for criminals who have drink or drugs problems as well as those who are mentally ill or illiterate.

Delegates agreed that special constables, who support full-time police, should be paid annual "bounty" payments and have their role strengthened. The police should be allowed to recruit community support officers to help reduce their workload and increase the police presence. They would not have the power of detention proposed by the Government.