 Thirty successful prosecutions were brought |
Fines for environmental pollution doubled in Scotland last year - even though there were fewer successful prosecutions. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the figures sent out the message that "pollution does not pay".
The watchdog was encouraged by the level of the fines, a view shared by Friends of the Earth Scotland.
However, the campaigning group voiced fears that this suggested pollution incidents were actually getting worse.
The statistics for the 2002/03 financial year were released by Sepa on Thursday.
The watchdog brought 30 successful prosecutions during the period, a decrease of seven from the previous year.
Polluting streams
Fines totalling �152,650 were imposed by the courts - compared to �84,600 in 2001/02.
The average fine per conviction more than doubled, from �2,286.48 to �5,088.33.
Scottish Water was among the companies on the receiving end, being fined �35,000 after it admitted polluting streams in East Kilbride.
Sepa chief executive Campbell Gemmell said: "The impact of environmental crime can be significant, in environmental, social and economic terms.
"Sepa works in partnership with all its stakeholders to protect and improve Scotland's environment and we would always rather ensure that pollution be prevented through education and greater understanding.
"Offences against our environment are, and should be, taken seriously if we are to achieve a more sustainable Scotland.
"While fines are a very poor overall indication of performance, enforcement action can, and will, be used when required."
Friends of the Earth's head of research, Dr Dan Barlow, welcomed the increased fine levels.
"However, before last year's increase can be regarded as a watershed we will have to see whether this level of fine is maintained in coming years," he said.
"Worryingly, these figures could in fact mean that pollution offences in Scotland are becoming more serious in nature.
"If this is the case then it would certainly not be cause for celebration."
He said that a few major pollution offences had attracted "untypically large" fines.
"Scotland's track record of prosecution on pollution crime has been lamentable, with comparatively few cases and those resulting in prosecution attracting low fines," he added.
"The Scottish Executive talks in its Partnership Agreement about cracking down on environmental crime.
"With hundreds of litres of oil being spilled into the River Almond only this week, there is no time like the present to start getting tough with polluters."
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While fines are a very poor overall indication of performance, enforcement action can, and will, be used when required
