Ian Rayner told Mr Blunkett offenders needed rehabilitation

But David Blunkett, speaking at the Prolific and Priority Offenders scheme launch in Leeds, also said criminals would get more help to mend their ways.

Under the programme, the 5,000 most prolific offenders in England and Wales will be fast-tracked through the courts and closely supervised if not in jail.

Pilot schemes may lead to more tagging and satellite monitoring of offenders.

Above all we can get them out of the situation that got them into jail in the first place Home Secretary David Blunkett Ex-con gives message of hope

They will also be targeted with intensive programmes to tackle problems like drug and alcohol addiction.

Mr Blunkett said: "The message I am getting across is that if you want help, we will help you, if you don't want to be helped we will come down on you like a tonne of bricks."

He said a "common sense" approach where different agencies worked in partnership would give offenders the chance to quit a life of crime.

According to the Home Office, a hard core of just 5,000 offenders commit one million crimes each year, at a high cost to their local communities.

Lives blighted

"We have to give them a way out," Mr Blunkett said.

"We have to ensure that when they get out of prison someone meets them, their immediate housing and employment needs are looked after and there is someone they can call on.

"Above all we can get them out of the situation that got them into jail in the first place. And that's in our interest because these people by their very nature are repeat offenders and have done this time and time again."

He said the law-abiding majority risked having their lives blighted by persistent and anti-social crime committed by "a handful of individuals".

Fighting burglary is a major priority for the Home Office

The scheme is a key plank in the government's strategy to reduce crime, likely to be one of the major battlegrounds at the next general election.

It has been backed by Ian Rayner, a former drug user and repeat offender who presented Mr Blunkett with a copy of his autobiography, The Biggest Issue?.

Mr Rayner, 38, now a plumber's mate on the Isle of Man, said: "At the end of the day, if you are locked up in prison with no rehabilitation then the chances are you will reoffend once outside."

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Colin Cramehorn said the strategy would have long-term benefits in bringing persistent criminals to justice.

Unless the Home Office funds probation and police to deliver, it will be just another empty slogan Harry Fletcher Napo assistant general secretary

The prolific criminals are to be singled out using the Association of Chief Police Officers' National Intelligence Model.

The probation union Napo warned the scheme would only work if the underlying causes of crime, particularly drug and alcohol addiction, were tackled.

Napo's assistant general secretary Harry Fletcher said: "All the criminal justice agencies have been concentrating on this work for the last 30 years.

"Unless the Home Office funds probation and police to deliver, it will be just another empty slogan."

Mr Blunkett also planned to visit Bradford to see community projects set up in the wake of rioting.