The home secretary has called for the public to express their views on options for the sentencing of convicted criminals.

"I want to ask people to actively join in a debate, so that together we can work out a new, common sense, effective approach to sentencing," said Blunkett during a visit to Sheffield yesterday.

Ideas floated by the home secretary included "intermittent prisons" which would see offenders being detained only during certain hours, such as at the weekends, and a "custody minus" scheme where those convicted would have to participate in a strict programme of community work.

To encourage debate, a quiz to test the public's knowledge of law and order was launched yesterday.

The Home Office hopes that the quiz, which does not offer any prizes for answering the fourteen questions correctly and is available on the departmental website, will encourage members of the public to send David Blunkett their views on punishing criminals.

Ann Widdecombe, the shadow home secretary, offered her support for the scheme. "It is important that the public know the facts about crime and this is quite a fun way of doing it".