Community courts plans unveiled

The courts will deal with low level crime such as graffiti

Scotland's first community court is to be set up in Glasgow, the justice minister has announced.

The new court aims to deal with about 2,000 offences a year, including minor assaults, vandalism, some drug cases, housebreaking and breach of the peace.

It is based on similar schemes which have been established in New York and Liverpool and is expected to be up and running by 2009.

Cathy Jamieson said the new system would provide "swift, visible justice".

Sentences dealt out by the court could also include measures to make the offender repay the local community for their crime and address the causes of their behaviour.

If we get to grips with the offenders responsible for these problems, we can improve the quality of life for all Steven Purcell Leader of Glasgow City Council

This may include unpaid work on community schemes, as well as drug rehabilitation and getting help for debt problems.

The court, which is being called a community justice centre, could cost between £5m-£7m to set up, and up to £2m a year to run.

It will also provide access to housing, employment, addiction and mental health services.

Glasgow City Council is currently trying to find suitable sites for the court and will have further talks with the Scottish Executive about funding once a location had been identified.

Ms Jamieson visited New York to see their court system in action in 2004.

'Smart options'

She said: "It will provide a range of support services to tackle the root causes of an offender's behaviour - through drug and alcohol treatment or help with debt and housing problems.

"Smart options - not soft options - the kind of approaches which I have already seen delivering real results for people in New York."

The leader of Glasgow City Council said the types of crime the court would deal with "drain the morale of communities".

Steven Purcell said: "If we get to grips with the offenders responsible for these problems, we can improve the quality of life for all."

Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini said: "This court will be at the heart of the community, delivering justice that is swift, visible and informed by a thorough understanding of the offender's background and of the impact of the offence in the wider community."