A review into the operation of criminal justice involving the DDP, the Attorney General and the police is to be announced.
The Northern Secretary spoke yesterday of the need for public confidence in anti-crime measures to be enhanced.
The move, following the announcement that a paramilitary ceasefire monitor is to be named this week, is seen as an attempt by Downing Street to support the unionist leader Mr David Trimble, in advance of Saturday's Ulster Unionist Council meeting.
The ruling unionist body has the power to withdraw unionist ministers from the executive. By signalling a tougher law-and-order stance, Dr John Reid could help Mr Trimble win more support on an issue dear to the unionist heart.
Referring to a summer of interface violence in Belfast, Dr Reid questioned why it took so long for cases to come to court and why suspects seemed to get bail so easily.
"Why do people who are convicted of rioting in Bradford get 4½ years in prison, and in Belfast get 4½ months in prison?" he asked.
Public confidence could be advanced if there were a "seamless system of justice" he said, which is "effective and fair".
Downing Street remains anxious to promote Mr Trimble as unionism's best hope.
Earlier Dr Reid made a forthright criticism of unionist sceptics who are calling Mr Trimble to account for his backing of the institutions at Stormont amid allegations of republican involvement in violence.
"David Trimble has delivered a lot more for unionists in Northern Ireland than any of his critics ever did," said Dr Reid.
He pointed out the principle of consent of the majority for any change in the constitutional position of the province, the Irish government's constitutional dropping of the claim over Northern Ireland, improved standards of living, devolved government and IRA decommissioning.
"It is David Trimble who has achieved all of this and none of his critics have achieved anything or had any alternative to what he is saying."