 85% of offenders were male |
Police in England and Wales issued nearly 64,000 on-the-spot fines in 2004, most for offences linked to drunken behaviour. Almost 27,000 fines were for drunk and disorderly behaviour, while a further 29,000 were for causing harrassment, alarm or distress.
The Home Office statistics showed 94% of offenders were adults, 6% were 16 to 17-year-olds, and 85% were male.
It also revealed that only half the fines were paid without court action.
The fines can be either �50 or �80.
Court action
Last year was the first calendar year police forces in England and Wales were able to issue on-the-spot fines.
They were introduced in 2002 and then rolled out to all forces during 2003-04.
They can be issued for drunkenness, shoplifting, criminal damage under �500, selling alcohol to under 18s, throwing fireworks and making false calls to emergency services.
The Home Office statistics showed only 38% of those issued in 2004 were paid in full by the 21-day deadline, with another 14% paying after the deadline but without court action.
Some 44% of cases involved further fines for non-payment, but it was not shown how many were paid after court action.
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