PLANS to introduce on-the-spot fines for anti-social behaviour have received mixed feelings from the people of Worcester.

Under the plans, police officers will be able to hand out fines for behaviour such as graffiti, abusive language and drunken behaviour in the same way that traffic wardens issue parking tickets.

The scheme will be introduced by the end of the year and offenders will have 21 days to pay the fine or face being hauled in front of the magistrates, where they could receive a harsher punishment.

Home Secretary David Blunkett decided the scheme should be extended nationwide after declaring that trials for the fixed penalty notices, which will be either £40 or £80, in four areas had been a success.

Twenty-nine-year-old Tom Love, an engineer of Tollhouse Drive, supports the move but would like to see the punishment fit the crime rather than have a fixed penalty fine.

"Some things like spray painting should have a higher fine," said Tom, "I have just moved to the city and I think Worcester is a pretty good place to live."

Ceramic assembler, Geoff Corbyn said the on-the-spot fines should target wayward children.

"I think kids are getting out of hand in Worcester and some sort of action needs to taken.

"I've had my garden walls knocked down at night," said the 56-year-old from Hallow, "That sort of thing needs to be controlled."

Childminder Marie Green, of Oldbury Road, agrees.

"I suppose they need discipline of some sort. I think it will stop them."

Kim Smith, a student at UCW, said she supports the idea if it does manage to cut down anti-social behaviour but questioned what the costs would be.

"I do not think they should charge too much but it still should be enough to deter people," said the 23-year-old from Henwick Avenue.

However, Gary Evans, an archaeologist, said he was concerned that the people it would most affect were those who cannot afford to pay.

"It will not affect most people who are going to offend because they will have the money.

"The ones who don't will go to the magistrates court and end up paying £2 per week so it will end up costing more to administer," said the 42-year-old of Henwick Road.

He said the magistrates courts would end up getting clogged up dealing with these offences.

Orlando Greenwood, a construction worker of Arboretum Road, supported Mr Evans but added that he did not think it was fair to fine people for their first offence.

"People should be cautioned first and if they have done it before they should be taken to court.

"I do not think action should be taken straight away," said the 42-year-old.