Home Office to review 'on-the-spot' punishable offences

The Government is considering making more offences punishable with an on-the-spot fine, the Home Office said today.

At present minor anti-social behaviour such as dropping litter, dog fouling and causing too much noise can be punished with a fixed penalty notice of £50 or £100.

Since 2001 police officers have also had the power to issue fines of £50 or £80 for more serious offences like throwing fireworks, low-value shoplifting or being drunk and disorderly.

Receiving a penalty notice does not count as getting a conviction.

The Home Office today said it was reviewing the list of offences for which penalty notices could be issued but insisted no decision had been made.

Last September Home Secretary John Reid insisted violent criminals would not escape with on-the-spot fines after proposals in a consultation document were leaked.

The paper contained suggestions for a major extension of fixed penalty notices this year in a bid to ease pressure on courts.

Under the proposals, fines would be handed out for offences including assault, threatening behaviour, theft up to the value of £100, obstructing or assaulting a police officer, possession of cannabis and drunkenness.

A Home Office spokeswoman today said penalty notices had proved very successful and were strongly supported by police as a way of reducing bureaucracy and keeping officers on the beat.

She went on: "We believe that it is right to deal with simple, straightforward cases in this prompt and effective way, reserving courts for disputed and more complex cases.

"Victims see offenders being punished swiftly without having to wait for a lengthy court process.

"There is no question of lessening the punishment for serious violent offences such as mugging and serious assaults against police officers, by issuing instant fines.

"The Government is reviewing the list of offences for which a penalty notice for disorder may be issued, which it does annually.

"However, no decisions have been made as to whether or not the list will be extended."

Crime reduction charity Nacro welcomed the prospect of fixed penalty notices being used more widely for "the least serious types of offence".

Nacro chief executive Paul Cavadino said assaults and criminal damage ranged in severity.

He went on: "Many minor offences committed by first or second-time offenders would be better dealt with outside court.

"Fixed penalties mean that an immediate punishment is imposed as opposed to a lengthy wait averaging 21 weeks for magistrates to deal with the case.

"This saves police time on paperwork and attending court when police officers could be preventing crime on the street.

"It also saves courts time, enabling courts to concentrate on dealing more quickly with serious offences."

Copyright Press Association 2007