Lincolnshire Police have defended on-the-spot fines designed to crackdown on anti-social behaviour, despite a report criticising penalties as unjust.
The Crime and Society Foundation report published on Wednesday said the fines are unfair because they punish people who have not admitted their guilt.
Nearly 1,000 penalty notices have been issued in Lincs since June last year.
Fines of up to £80 can be imposed for offences including being drunk and disorderly to theft.
Lincolnshire Police say the fines are usually imposed inside police stations, following the arrest of suspects, and they keep minor offenders out of the court system.
But because people can be given fines without accepting their guilt, the Crime and Society Foundation claims they put punishment before justice.
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