Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has revealed that too many local authorities are failing to meet the Government's intended target on implementing Community Service Orders (CSOs).

Liberal Democrats figures show that in many local authority areas, only a fraction of those sentenced to CSOs actually begin their sentence within the Government's proposed target of seven days.

Some local authorities claim high numbers of CSOs are beginning within this time frame. But, closer scrutiny show that offenders are only attending their initial placement interview or receiving their mandatory health and safety training, not starting work to payback their communities.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"These figures are quite shocking. The delay in some areas between the sentence being passed and offenders beginning their first day of the community sentence is unacceptable.

"In Edinburgh, Stirling and the Borders less than 3 per cent of criminals sentenced to CSOs begin their first day of service within 7 days. This is simply unacceptable.

"In Glasgow less than three in ten of work places start within seven days of the induction. In South Lanarkshire a dismal 2.16 per cent commenced within this period.

"Local authorities must be closely monitored to make sure that community sentences begin within the Government's intended seven day target. Offenders must start repaying the communities they have damaged as quickly as possible, not just attend an interview or health and safety training.

"In order for community sentences to work, they must be speedy, effective and efficient. So far, Ministers are failing to make sure this happens."

Ends.