Public agrees small offences don't need to go to Court

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 29th Mar 2007

Commenting on the publication today of research into public attitudes to alternatives to prosecution, Liberal Democrat Shadow Constitutional Affairs Secretary, Simon Hughes MP said:

"This research is welcome and encouraging. The public backs the Liberal Democrat view that it doesn't make sense to clog up the courts with minor offences.

"The more minor criminal offences we can keep out of the courts the better. The sensible alternatives are cautions or reprimands, with an apology, compensation or other conditions attached.

"But the Government should not see this as a green light for fixed penalty notices. Suitable alternatives to court are welcome but summary justice on the streets is not."