VANDALS, graffiti artists, drunks and other anti-social criminals face on-the-spot fines in Swindon by the end of the year.

Home Secretary David Blunkett has declared that trials of the controversial fixed penalty notices in four areas a success.

Now the initiative will be extended throughout the country as part of the government's war on so-called 'anti-social behaviour'.

Police officers will hand out the fines either £40 or £80, with 21 days to pay or face court action and heavier punishment in the same way as traffic wardens issue parking tickets. Fines of £40 will be issued for crimes such as drunkenness or trespassing and fines of £80 for offences such as vandalism.

There will be no chance of criminals giving false addresses because officers will be able to check the details they give on hand-held computer databases.

Initially aimed solely at adult offenders, there are plans to pilot the scheme among 16 and 17-year-olds.

Anti-social behaviour is a problem regularly faced by the community at large and the police alike.

There were, for example, 22 alleged drunk and disorderly offences pending at Swindon Magistrates Court at the end of January, according to official monthly figures and 16 at the end of the following month.

Police officers and politicians in Swindon are enthusiastic about the move, but the reaction of some local victims is more cautious.

Insp Dave McMullin of Swindon police said: "Any initiative that is brought in that aims to help tackle anti-social behaviour has got to be welcomed by the constabulary and the community at large.

"My experience with anti-social behaviour is that you need to have many different ways of dealing with the problem."

However, some of those who have suffered as a result of anti-social behaviour, chiefly vandalism, in Swindon, were less sure.

Last month, three rocks were thrown through windows at Liden Pre-School, showering toys with broken glass and causing infants' work to be ruined by rain.

Pre-school chairwoman Amanda Pain said: "If the offenders are found to be younger people, the money will come out of their parents' pockets. I'm not against this scheme I just wonder whether it will work."

And Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn), who expected to become the new Swindon Council leader tomorrow, added: "One of the problems facing society is the behaviour of a minority group of individuals."

North Swindon MP Michael Wills and South Swindon counterpart Julia Drown have both given the plan their praise.

At Wootton Bassett, which has had problems with vandals damaging play equipment, town clerk Johnathan Bourne said: "The only snag as I see it is that you still have to catch people in the act."