Fixed penalty notices set to cost £25 more

Since 2012, when the fines were last revised, band A fines were £40, band B £70 and band C £100.

Under the proposals all the bands would increase by £25, leaving band A at £65, band B £95 and band C at £125.

All are reduced by £10 if paid within seven days, and this would remain.

In the policy letter, Home Affairs president Deputy Rob Prow said there were about 14,000 notices issued each year, with the vast majority being band A offences, which includes disc parking offences.

‘Fixed penalty notices allow for lower level offences to remain outside of the criminal justice system which carries substantial costs, setting the level of fines at an appropriate point aims to deter individuals from specific undesirable behaviours,’ he said.

‘Should the fines not carry an appropriate level of deterrence, it may be argued that fixed penalty notice offences could have the potential to become more frequent, as the sanction associated with them is no longer enough to discourage the behaviours effectively.

‘In instances whereby individuals do commit these offences, the penalty received should also be sufficient enough to act as a preventative tool in order to deter repeated behaviour.’

He highlighted that since the last review a decade ago, inflation had risen dramatically.

‘Therefore it is arguable that a review is necessary for fines to remain effective while also being fair and proportionate,’ he said.

Band A fines cover minor matters like driving on the pavement and parking offences.

Band B includes poor conditions of tyres, dropping litter and driving without a horn.

Band C covers matter like failing to clear up after a dog, not wearing a seatbelt, holding a mobile while driving and trespassing at the airport.

The policy letter is due to be debated on 22 November.