Guernsey States to make more offences fixed penalty

Deputy Mahy said more fixed fines would free up police and court time


More criminal offences in Guernsey are going to be covered by fixed penalty notices before the end of 2011, the home minister has said.
Currently only minor traffic offences, like parking, can be dealt with by the on-the-spot fines.
Deputy Geoff Mahy said the change would mean other traffic offences, littering and dog fouling would also be punishable with the notices.
He said the move would mean less paperwork and more police on the beat.
Deputy Mahy said the details of allowing electronic payment of the fines were being finalised before its introduction in the latter part of 2011.
He said currently parking fines, which are £30 per offence, generated about £30,000 to £40,000 a month.
Deputy Mahy said the move, which was first investigated in a report in 2006, was not about creating new revenue streams for the States but reducing the workload of police officers and the courts.
As the fixed penalty notices will cover a range of offences three bands will be introduced at £40, £70 and £100, with each £10 cheaper if paid within seven days of issue and all pursued in court if not paid after 28 days. (from BBC)

Should of been done years ago...

This sounds like a good idea, and Deputy Mahy should be congratulated for addressing some perceived time wasting which should result in savings.

This is the modern way, however Deputy Mahy is hopefully fully aware that it is a short step to being efficient in law and policing, and then robbing people who have ( in a democracy) a natural right to justice and right to reply. If this is removed then this becomes an bullying abuse of power which needs to be corrected.

If in doubt ask the Egyptians.

Boatyboy.

Heartily agree boaty BUT the downside may be pursuit of more petty crime because of the ease of issue and conviction?

Presuming that most of the parking tickets are dished out in St. Peter Port then the monthly amount quoted above gives a clear indication that there are not enough parking places to meet the demand. This proves that the issueing of parking tickets is used as a money making exercise by the states who have no intention of making things easier for the motorist.

we have always known that cockney..doagree with the instant fines for littering and dog fouling though ..town looks a mess these days ...