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Penalty fines for street offences Penalty fines for street offences
(about 2 hours later)
Offenders in Scotland's biggest city will receive on-the-spot fines under a new anti-social behaviour crackdown. On-the-spot fines for low level crime can now be issued in Scotland's largest police force area.
Police in Glasgow will use new powers to issue £40 fixed penalty notices for offences that would normally require court action. Strathclyde Police officers can issue £40 fixed penalty notices for minor offences that would normally require court action.
Actions liable for punishment include minor breaches of the peace, vandalism, drinking alcohol in public, noise nuisance and urinating in public.Actions liable for punishment include minor breaches of the peace, vandalism, drinking alcohol in public, noise nuisance and urinating in public.
The new powers marked the completion of a national roll-out of the scheme. The powers mark the completion of a national roll-out of the scheme.
Officers said a pilot scheme saved valuable court time, with just 1% of people fined requesting a trial. Officers said a Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) pilot in Tayside saved valuable court time, with just 1% of people fined requesting a trial.
That is good news for our officers and we think it will send a strong message to those who are committing these offences Kevin SmithStrathclyde Police's assistant chief constable Crime and offences are on the increase, police stations are going part-time and now we have pay-as-you-go criminals Bill AitkenScottish Conservatives
Strathclyde Police's assistant chief constable Kevin Smith, said: "Disorder and anti-social behaviour are major problems for ordinary people and can have a severe effect on quality of life in neighbourhoods. Strathclyde Police Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Smith, said: "Currently, for even the most minor offences, our officers have to formally charge the offender, then spend time in the police station preparing reports to be sent to the procurator fiscal for consideration of a prosecution.
"Currently for even the most minor offences, our officers have to formally charge the offender, then spend time in the police station preparing reports to be sent to the procurator fiscal for consideration of a prosecution. "Court appearances, if they occur, can be many, many months down the line.
"Court appearances, if they occur, can be many many months down the line. "These penalty tickets will allow officers to deal there and then with certain offences."
"These penalty tickets will allow officers to deal there and then with certain offences.
"That is good news for our officers and we think it will send a strong message to those who are committing these offences."
People issued with the notices will have 28 days to pay the fine or opt for a court trial, with fines rising to £60 if the offender fails to pay.People issued with the notices will have 28 days to pay the fine or opt for a court trial, with fines rising to £60 if the offender fails to pay.
'Stronger communities' They will not be issued to anyone under the age of 16 and are not recorded as a criminal conviction, although the information will be retained for two years.
They will not be issued to anyone under the age of 16, and are not recorded as a criminal conviction, although the information will be retained for two years. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said FPNs will help deter anti-social behaviour.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill backed the scheme. FPN OFFENCES Riotous behaviour while drunk in a licensed premisesRefusing to leave a licensed premisesUrinating or defecating in circumstances causing annoyance to othersDrunk and incapableDrunk in public in charge of a childPersisting, to the annoyance of others, in playing musical instruments, singing, playing radios etc.VandalismDrinking alcohol in publicBreach of the peaceMalicious mischief
He said: "I'm pleased that Strathclyde Police officers now have these additional powers to take quick and effective action against anti-social behaviour. He said: "Officers across Scotland will have the ability take swift and visible action against lower level offences, while being able to spend more time where the public want them - on our streets.
"Fixed penalty notices can play a part in delivering that, as we work together to build safer, stronger communities across the country." "Evidence from the pilot in Tayside also suggests that the penalties can deter people from similar misdemeanours in future."
Catherine Dyer, area procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said that the roll out of fixed penalty notices across Strathclyde would allow anti-social offences to be dealt with immediately. Mr MacAskill said the use of fixed penalty notices helped free up police time as well as reducing the time prosecutors and courts spend dealing with more minor offenders.
He added that the Scottish Government was also committed to a specific review of the scheme, including looking at which offences they can be imposed for and the level of the fines, after 12 months.
Criminal record
Catherine Dyer, area procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said that the roll-out of fixed penalty notices across Strathclyde would allow anti-social offences to be dealt with immediately.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: "People could commit a multitude of crimes and yet merely get on-the-spot-fines, without any proper criminal record.
"Crime and offences are on the increase, police stations are going part-time and now we have pay-as-you-go criminals."
He added: "Whilst reducing pressure on our police and criminal justice system is a laudable aim, it cannot be done for the convenience of the criminal or to massage crime statistics."