NO - Mohammed Qalad, 18, volunteer, Haringey Borough Council's youth media project, Exposure
I don't think it's a good idea because, say someone comes out of the pub drunk, starts pissing in the corner, and the police try and fine them, the drunk will say they haven't got any money. Then what can the police do about it? Can they take them to the police station and arrest them?
If the police ask for an address most young people would give a fake one. How can the police check if it's true or not? More than likely, it's the parents that will have to pay the bill and if they don't agree, they won't pay. Maybe the police can fine the parents for not paying their child's fine, but then the whole process will take ages, involve going to court and the judge won't send someone to prison for something like that.
Graffiti's another form of art, so why not give young people more opportunities to express themselves? And as for being yobbish and antisocial, when the British Government bombed Iraq and killed loads of innocent people they weren't setting young people a very good example, were they?
YES - Leslie Morphy, head of programmes and policy, The Prince's Trust
We recognise antisocial behaviour blights the lives of many communities, and welcome the Government's focus on addressing this problem.
On-the-spot fines could play a valuable role in deterring young people from acting in an antisocial way, but such a measure must be combined with support mechanisms if we are serious about tackling disaffection.
More consideration needs to be given to the effects of the impact of the antisocial behaviour bill that proposes extending on-the-spot fines to 16 and 17-year-olds. Parents could be forced to step in to pay the fines of those young people unable to do so. This could fragment fragile relationships.
The Government needs to pay more attention to learning from agencies, charities and organisations working on the frontline.
We need to listen to young people: only by doing so will we be able to help them.
NO - Kevin Wong, assistant director of crime reduction, Nacro
For the long term, there have to be pertinent preventative measures in addition to enforcement measures. A concern about the fines is the issue of injustice being done. Someone has to make a decision on whether a person is being antisocial.
We are also not clear on how they will make that assessment. If you go to government guidance on antisocial behaviour, there is no single definition.
That could lead to inconsistencies from one area to the next on how people are fined.
If a person is in court for speeding, they can plead mitigating circumstances.
Will that be possible with fixed fines?
People may see this as a quick-fix solution. This is not something that will address the root causes, such as deprivation.
The burden of a penalty falling on some parent's doormat might cause problems, as they are likely to already have financial tensions. This could possibly exacerbate things.
YES - Henri Murison, trustee, British Youth Council
Pilot projects have shown that this system helps to cut anti-social behaviour and makes our streets safer for all citizens, including young people. Young people are often the victims of antisocial behaviour and suffer when their own community facilities are threatened through constant graffiti and other forms of petty vandalism.
These proposals give the police greater powers to crack down on antisocial behaviour, which is a good thing. But I would be concerned if it gave a licence to the police to target young people without good cause, particularly certain ethnic minority groups, who have felt unfairly treated in the past by things like the stop and search procedures.
It's not necessarily the fine itself, but the fact that the on-the-spot part means people will feel the consequences of their actions immediately: that may be a deterrent. On-the-spot fines can't be the sole solution, but they might make some people think twice before they perform a senseless act.
