The DPP's decision is a response to the Court of Appeal questioning whether current sentencing practices for aggravated burglary are adequate and can be justified in light of the increased maximum penalty for the offence in 1997.

People Against Lenient Sentencing president Steve Medcraft said the DPP's call for increased sentences was well overdue.

''It is 10 years overdue. Aggravated burglary is a physical, violent crime,'' Mr Medcraft said.

''I applaud the initiative of the DPP for asking these questions.''

Mr Medcraft said the most important thing was that if there was a minimum term for aggravated burglary, then judges had a set minimum to work from.

The maximum penalty for aggravated burglary of 25 years' imprisonment was recently announced, while Sentencing Advisory Council material suggests that the median sentence imposed for this offence since 2000 had been two years' imprisonment.

DPP Jeremy Rapke QC said submissions challenging current sentencing practices would be made in every aggravated burglary matter to ensure that all cases were treated equally and fairly.

To ensure each accused is fully informed of the impending challenge, the DPP will provide a written notice to the accused signalling his intent, so the accused can decide whether to plead guilty or contest the charge with this knowledge.