Police chief backs justice reform

Mr Strang said sending people to prison could increase offending rates

The chief constable of Scotland's second largest police force has backed plans to scrap short prison sentences in favour of community punishments.

In an interview with The Times, Lothian and Borders Chief Constable David Strang said jailing criminals for a few weeks did little to cut re-offending.

Mr Strang also said alcohol was "by far" the greatest cause of crime.

Scottish Government plans to phase out short prison terms have been criticised as "soft touch" by opponents.

In the interview, Mr Strang supported the concept of "restorative justice", which would make more minor offenders face up to the consequences of their actions through community-based sentences rather than brief spells behind bars.

On a daily basis in terms of the calls we receive, alcohol is by far the greatest cause of incidence of crime: crime of violence, drink-driving, disorder Chief Constable David Strang Lothian and Borders Police

He added: "The evidence is that sending people to prison for a short time does little to reduce offending in the long-term. In fact there is an argument that it is likely to lead to increased offending, partly because the prison service says there is little it can do with someone who is only in for a few weeks."

Highlighting the role of alcohol in offending, he added: "On a daily basis in terms of the calls we receive, alcohol is by far the greatest cause of incidence of crime: crime of violence, drink-driving, disorder. If you take a more thoughtful approach alcohol causes a lot of problems."

Angela Constance, the SNP MSP for Livingston and a member of Holyrood's justice committee, welcomed Mr Strang's comments, which she said illustrated how the government's proposals "have the support of the police, of victims organisations and of those that work with offenders".

"Chief Constable Strang is right. It is vital we tackle re-offending and offending behaviour, not simply lock people up for a few weeks or months so they can come out and offend again," she said.

'Political points'

"Community sentences ensure people face up to their actions, take responsibility and repay our communities for the damage they have done.

"It is time opposition parties faced up to the fact that short sentences are part of the problem, not the answer. Instead of making political points it is time we faced facts and got on with the job of preventing crime not just locking people up.

"Community sentences and restorative justice offer a better way of dealing with a large number of offenders to stop offending behaviour and cut crime in our communities."

Under the terms of the forthcoming Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill, judges would not impose a custodial sentence of six months or less unless they felt there was no other option.