The fines would tackle crime like vandalism

Scotland's senior police officers are to hear a call for the introduction of fixed penalty payments to target anti-social behaviour.

The proposal will be put forward at the Police Superintendents' Association conference in Peebles.

The association will be told that the fixed penalty tickets would put more officers on the beat.

However, some doubts have been expressed over the effectiveness of a similar scheme being introduced south of the border.

Vandalism, breaches of the peace and street drinking are the sort of offences identified for fixed penalties.

Association president Allan Shanks is to tell the conference that fixed penalties will offer a "win-win" situation.

Mr Shanks believes that the time spent writing reports will be cut, allowing officers back onto the beat.

The move is also being highlighted as a way to make savings in the courts system, with offenders being punished more quickly.

Four pilot projects have been run in England and Wales, where fixed penalty fines of up to �80 were imposed. Just under half the fines remain unpaid.