Boy racers can be a menace to communities

Since March, 16 offenders have had their vehicles seized and more than 360 have been officially warned, mostly in Fife and Grampian.

The number of anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) issued in Scotland has risen by almost half in the past year.

More details on actions taken were published in a report by the Scottish Executive on Monday.

Research showed that a total of 210 Asbos were granted in 2004/05 - a 42% increase on the previous year.

Positive feedback

In Tayside alone, 1,500 people have been given fixed penalties for street offences and breaches of the peace.

Offenders have been fined �40 and the executive said feedback from the police had been positive in terms of time and paperwork saved.

Those handed a fixed-penalty notice were given 28 days to pay the fine, which could be increased to �60. If still not paid, the offender could be taken to court.

Our approach has to be prevention and intervention wherever possible, sanctions wherever necessary Cathy Jamieson Justice minister

Other measures have seen the closure of a number of premises found to have been operating as illegal drinking or drugs dens.

Noise abatement teams operating on behalf of local authorities have also ordered noisy neighbours to turn down stereos.

Monday's report reviewed the first year of operation of the Anti-social Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson told delegates at a criminal justice system conference that much has been achieved over the 12 months.

But she added that she sees it as a first step towards rebuilding respect and improving the quality of life for decent hard-working people.

The minister said: "Failing to deal with anti-social behaviour creates a downward spiral even in thriving communities and can put a stop to efforts to improve neighbourhoods that need most help.

Annabel Goldie called for more police officers

"For too long efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour have been caricatured into a debate about prevention versus cure. It's not.

"Our approach has to be prevention and intervention wherever possible, sanctions wherever necessary. It is changing behaviour that counts."

The one-day conference, Anti-social Behaviour - Summary Justice Reform: Faster, Fairer and Better Justice Reform, brought together key players in the criminal justice field and was held in Edinburgh.

Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie said: "Cathy Jamieson has spoken about a lot of things this morning and highlighted a number of new measures that came into being with this act.

"But there is one area that she and the executive continue to ignore - the lack of a police presence on our streets.