In an attempt to tackle prison overcrowding, a new criminal justice bill includes measures to impose "tough and effective" community sentences on non-serious criminals.

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, unveiled in the Queen's speech on Tuesday, would also introduce tougher sentences for dangerous offenders.

It paves the way for reforming the criminal justice system "with the aim of protecting the public and reducing re-offending".

The legislation comes as part of the government's drive to "rebalance the justice system in favour of victims".

As part of a drive to increase public confidence, it aims to support the police in tackling anti-social behaviour "at its roots and thereby reinforce a culture of respect".

The Bill also seeks to ensure "the right people are punished", support those "who do the right thing as good citizens" and ensure the UK does not provide a "safe haven" for foreign criminals and terrorists.

Measures include targeting prison and probation resources at repeat and violent offenders, and ensuring that custodial sentences for young offenders are avoided wherever possible.

Violent offender orders would be introduced, allowing courts to restrict the residence or movement of dangerous convicts.

There would also be a new criminal offence of inciting hatred created to combat hate crime against gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people.

And the government intends to bring forward changes to strengthen legal protection for people acting "with reasonable force" in self defence.

Meanwhile, plans in the draft programme for a Coroners' Bill to give bereaved people more rights to appeal against coroners' decisions were not included in the statement.