By Bruce Fegen

DRINKERS CAUGHT committing anti- social offences in Kirkcaldy could escape a fine under a radical initiative launched in the town yesterday.

The fixed penalty will be waived if they agree to take part in an alcohol education programme which is aimed at addressing binge drinking and associated bad behaviour through early intervention.

It has been developed by Fife Alcohol Support Services (FASS) and will give offenders the opportunity to learn more about the dangers and consequences of alcohol misuse.

Unveiled by justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, assistant chief constable Andrew Barker and other partners yesterday, the pilot scheme will operate for six months.

Mr MacAskill said, “Since they were rolled out across the country during 2007, fixed penalty notices have proved a valuable tool in helping the police tackle low level anti-social behaviour and a means of delivering swift and visible justice.

“However, enforcement alone will not solve the deep-seated problems which fuel lawlessness in our communities and that is why this government has put early intervention, education and support at the centre of our approach.

“Folk who commit low level anti-social behaviour need to face the consequences but also have to realise the cost of their behaviour.

“Educating them about the consequences and the effects on them and those around them is equally important.

“This innovative pilot scheme by Fife police and Fife Alcohol Support Service will give people involved in low level anti-social behaviour, where alcohol has been a factor, the opportunity to change their ways before they become an offender or a victim.”

Jim Bett of FASS added, “It is far easier to deal with alcohol-related problems at an early stage, before drinking behaviour becomes entrenched within a person’s self image or self esteem or ability to relate to friends and family.

“We also realised that education alone is not enough to illicit change and therefore focused on a more participative approach, with elements of education but most importantly an opportunity for people to create their own options for change.”

The scheme aims to help reduce a binge drinker’s chance of becoming a future victim or offender in the criminal justice system.

Where an offender has committed an offence and has been issued with fixed penalty for anti-social behaviour, and it appears to the officer that alcohol has been a factor, then they will also be given the opportunity to take part in the scheme.

The officer will provide the offender with a leaflet detailing the FASS scheme and explain that if they do so, the £40 fine will be waived. Once the offender completes a session, FASS will update the police.

A PhD student from St Andrews University will evaluate the scheme during and at the completion of the pilot period, and if successful it may be extended to other areas in Fife.

Mr Barker said, “In 2008 we issued 1897 anti-social behaviour related fixed penalty notices and the main contributory factor to these types of offences is the misuse of alcohol.

“Anti-social behaviour and low level crimes contribute to a wider fear of crime within our Fife communities.”

Kirkcaldy was chosen to pilot the project as it is one of eight areas across Scotland selected by the Scottish Government to try out new ways of reducing the gaps in health and well-being outcomes that have persisted for decades.