ROTTERDAM, 16/01/03 - Two-thirds of the Dutch want several prisoners to be locked up together to solve the shortage of cells. Additionally, 80 percent favor child murderers being sentenced to life, according to a survey by the Interview-NSS bureau commissioned by the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) party.

The statement that there should be minimum sentences for serious crimes of violence also attracts strong support (85 percent). Reintroduction of the death penalty is however only backed by one in five respondents.

Increasing violence is the result of the lax approach to criminals, according to 77 percent, and of the decline in values and standards in the view of 82 percent. The use of violence to end violence is considered justified by 58 percent, and more than half want more powers for the police, such as preventative searches without specific cause.

The LPF presented the research results in Rotterdam yesterday at the Congress against Violence which it organized. Marten Fortuyn, the brother of the assassinated LPF founder Pim Fortuyn, announced he will chair a committee to set up a new organization which will champion victims of violence.