Victims and bereaved families will have more time to challenge sentences they believe are too lenient.
Under new Government plans, the current 28-day limit will be extended to six months, allowing victims and families more time to request that a sentence be reconsidered.
The change applies to the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, which allows individuals to ask the Attorney General and Solicitor General to refer a sentence in the public interest to the Court of Appeal.
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Hampshire police and crime commissioner Donna Jones, who is the former victims lead for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, welcomed the move. She said: "It is vital victims of crime are properly considered during the sentencing process and that their wellbeing is at the forefront of any decision made.
"Stripping violent and sexual offenders of their liberty for the appropriate amount of time will not only show that crime doesn’t pay but will keep victims and the public safe.
"When the sentence is unduly lenient, traumatised victims deserve to have their say, but further navigation of the justice system can be an exhausting and daunting prospect.
"By giving them up to six months to challenge sentences offers them the chance to get them the justice they deserve and keep dangerous criminals off our streets for longer.”
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