Tagging is on the increase

Official figures reveal that there were huge variations across local authority areas since the get-tough measure was introduced in May last year.

There were 231 orders in North and South Lanarkshire, but none in East Renfrewshire or West Dunbartonshire.

The higher figures were apparently because of a pilot project at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Tagged offenders have to wear a transmitter on their ankle or wrist which ensures that they spend up to 12 hours a day in a specific place for a maximum of 12 months.

Prison costs

Researchers found it cost �13,456 to lock someone up for six months but only �4,860 to impose a tagging order.

The Scottish Executive wants to divert more people away from prison, in an effort to break the cycle of crime into which offenders fall.

The aim, too, is to drive down costs and cut the growing prison population.

The Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics also show that there were 7,359 community service orders used between 2002 and 2003 - a 13% increase on the previous year.

The number of probation orders increased by 5% to 7,417.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson insisted it was "encouraging" that courts were making increased use of programmes in the community as a way to tackle offending.

She added: "I believe that, as courts see the effectiveness of this measure, they will have the confidence to use the option of a restriction of liberty order more widely in the coming years."