The Home Secretary has pledged changes to the way courts deal with minor offenders will be a "new beginning" in the criminal justice system.

David Blunkett has called for a step change in law and order so judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers all work to improve their communities.

He has also unveiled details of a new type of community court to crack down on petty crime and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Blunkett attempted to bury the hatchet with Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, who last month revealed he had "agreed to disagree" with Mr Blunkett over parts of his criminal justice reforms.

"We are looking at a new beginning," said Mr Blunkett.

"We are seeking together to ensure we gain justice and we are looking to do that by examining where truth lies and how the whole culture of the service must change.

"How the prosecution can become both the voice of the community and the voice of finding solutions through justice.

"We are looking, dare we say, at how the role of defence lawyers can change and we will need the wholehearted support of legal professionals in doing that."

Speaking at the conference in Westminster, he revealed that UK officials are drawing up plans for pilot community justice centres, described by the Home Office as "one-stop crimebusting shops".

Sentences handed out by the new courts would be geared to local crime priorities such as graffiti, criminal damage and car crime.