Police call for more on-the-spot fines
24 May 05
Lothian Deputy Chief wants national roll-out of instant fine scheme
A top police officer has called for a pilot on-the-spot fine scheme for low level offences to be rolled out throughout Scotland.
The scheme, which has been trialled in Tayside, gives officers powers to issue instant £40 fines for crimes such as urinating in the street and vandalism.
In the first week of the pilot, officers issued 72 fixed-penalty notices for anti-social behaviour.
Malcolm Dickson, Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders said that sending more people to prison is not the answer as it just "creates more criminals".