Spot fines labelled a 'quick fix' as vandalism cases soar

Published on Saturday 27 September 2008 10:57

PROSECUTORS have been accused of using spot fines as a "quick fix" to deal with vandalism as new figures showed a soaring number of cases.

Statistics from the Scottish Government show that the number of fines handed out in Edinburgh has soared since the introduction this year of "direct measures" which gave prosecutors the power to impose immediate fines or compensation orders without taking the matter to court.

A total of 115 have been issued in Edinburgh so far this year, four times the number issued for the whole of last year.

West Lothian also saw a similar jump in figures, prosecuting 36 offenders with direct measures this year so far, compared to just four in the whole of 2007.

However, Lothian MSP Gavin Brown, whose parliamentary question brought the figures to light, said the reforms were only part of the story.

He said: "You would expect a rise when such measures are brought in, but you would not expect a jump of 500 per cent, unless courts were using the measures as a quick fix.

"Historical figures show that reports of vandalism have risen every year since 1997, but we make the punishment more lenient.

"This sends out a message that if you vandalise property, graffiti or willfully set things on fire you're likely to escape with a small fine and a slap on the wrist."

In March, Holyrood gave procurator fiscals the power to make a compensation offer either on its own, or with a fiscal fine.

Fiscals have used these powers to "directly and swiftly" compensate the victims of vandalism without the need for them to attend a court hearing several months after the crime has taken place.

A Crown Office spokeswoman said: "Any report received from the police by the procurator fiscal will be given full and careful consideration before reaching a decision on the most appropriate way to deal with the offending behaviour.

"The rise which is evident from these figures can be explained by the increased range of direct measures available for use by prosecutors following the introduction of summary justice reform.

"The fact that a compensation offer has been accepted is recorded by the police and is brought to the court's attention should the accused offend again at any point in the next two years."

Figures released to accompany Mr Brown's question confirm reports of vandalism jumped by a third in ten years up to 2006.

A police spokesman confirmed they were "aware that there is an issue with vandalism", and added: "The rise in the number of charges comes as a direct consequence of the pro-active approach."