Our polling on the public’s view on the appropriate starting points for specific offences suggests that a majority would support increases in the severity of the relevant custodial sentences. This position is also supported by much of the research into public opinion cited in the evidence submitted to this inquiry. This potential gap between public opinion on sentencing and actual practice indicated by the evidence we received highlights the need for in-depth analysis of the public’s view of sentencing policy for particular offences. (Paragraph 87) Public opinion and understanding of sentencing 59