THE Scottish Government continues its fight against anti-social behaviour this week with the introduction of on-the-spot fines.
Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) will give police officers the power to issue instant £40 fines for lower-level offences such as breaches of the peace, and drinking in public where it is banned, such as it is in Fraserburgh.
Following a successful pilot by Tayside Police, FPNs have been adopted by Scotland's other police forces over the past six months, and if unpaid and unchallenged within 28 days, the penalty automatically increases to £60. Evidence from the pilot in Tayside also suggests that these penalties will deter most perpetrators from committing similar misdemeanours in future.
These measures are part of a raft of policies to make our streets safer and instill confidence among the public. It is important that our police officers have the power to take the action necessary, but also that they have a visible presence on the street. The use of FPNs will be rolled out across the country as we review each step of its implementation. Officers across Scotland will have the ability to take fast and visible action against lower-level offences, while being able to spend more time where the public want them – patrolling our streets.
http://www.banffshire-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/1829/Keeping_up_fight_against_anti-social_behaviour.html
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