Top officer backs spot fines

Mr Shanks proposes on-the-spot fines for vandals

Scotland's senior police officers have heard a call for the introduction of on-the-spot fines to target anti-social behaviour.

Chief Superintendent Allan Shanks of Lothian and Borders said such a move could save the work of up to 500 police officers and could be used to punish crimes such as being drunk and disorderly and minor breaches of the peace.

He said valuable police time was taken up preparing reports on such matters.

But he dismissed the idea of wardens backing up officers, saying this would amount to "policing on the cheap."

If the person pays the fixed fine, they have paid their punishment, police time in preparing the police report has not been taken up

Chief Superintendent Allan Shanks

Mr Shanks' proposal was put forward at the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) conference in Peebles.

Mr Shanks called for spot fines for "minor, quality of life crimes".

He said: "Rather than issue an undertaking, the accused could be issued with a fixed penalty notice, detailing the alleged crime and giving them the opportunity of paying a fine.

"This is exactly the same process as road traffic offences.

"If the person pays the fixed fine, they have paid their punishment, police time in preparing the police report has not been taken up, the procurator fiscal has not had to spend time processing the case and the court has not had to hear this case."

However, Mr Shanks rejected the introduction of wardens and said: "Let's not fall into the trap of using wardens as an alternative to policing.

"Wardens have a role in the delivery of the community safety agenda and there are many good examples existing in Scotland, but they are not police officers.

Quality of life crimes would be targeted

"The police are a professional and well trained service."

Mr Shanks also warned the Scottish Executive to avoid a heavy reliance on performance targets in relation to the police service.

He said the service must respond to the needs of local communities.

Mr Shanks welcomed the Scottish Executive's recent targets to reduce violent and racially aggravated crimes and increase drug seizures and road safety.

However, he told the conference: "I acknowledge that policing is a 'big spender' for the Scottish Parliament, and it is right that we, as a service, are held to account for our expenditure.

"I would, however, like to make a plea that the pendulum does not swing too far towards a performance measurement culture where everything we do is geared towards delivery of, and meeting performance targets.

"When superintendents attend meetings in their command areas, or get feedback from their staff who have attended such meetings, there is a very strong, loud and clear message from local people, that they want the police to deal with issues that affect their local communities, some of which may not be covered by performance targets."