One criminal avoided jail despite having more than 300 offences to his name, according to details revealed under freedom of information laws.
In West Mercia, which polices Shropshire and surrounding counties, 92 per cent of offenders avoided jail at sentence, a figure of nearly 19,000. Many allowed to walk from court had a long list of previous convictions.
In Dyfed-Powys, which covers Mid Wales, 94 per cent of those found guilty, equating to nearly 10,000 criminals, walked free from court after committing offences.