'I'm going to go stealing again': serial thief with 360 convictions is among first 700 prisoners freed early under Burnham's scheme

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026.

Serial thief David Elliott, whose criminal record stretches to 360 convictions, left HMP Brixton on Friday declaring he would reoffend straight away, as Andy Burnham's early release scheme put around 700 criminals onto the streets of England and Wales. Released prisoners grinned, punched the air and thanked the prime minister as they streamed out from 8.30am. The scheme — branded a 'prison break-out bonanza' by critics — is expected to release more than 4,500 offenders in total by June, with that figure climbing to as many as 50,000 a year once fully operational.

Among those released are domestic abusers and people whose offences include certain violent or sexual crimes, prompting fears over the safety of victims.

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin, speaking outside HMP Brixton, condemned the releases as an 'absolute betrayal of British citizens' and said a Reform government would deport all 10,700 foreign national offenders and build emergency Nightingale prisons instead.