However, the fixed penalty notices (FPNs) are being used less in neighbouring Fife, where officers issued fewer than 2000 in the only full year for which figures are available.

The measure was brought in with the aim of saving police and court time by dealing on the spot with a range of low-level offences committed by over-16s.

Offenders issued with a notice are given 28 days to pay a £40 fine or request a court hearing.

The vast majority of tickets issued in Tayside during 2008/09 — some 2287 — were for breaches of the peace, followed by urinating or defecating in circumstances causing annoyance to others (937).

Officers also handed out fines for consuming alcohol in a public place (314), vandalism (281) and playing loud music after being asked to stop (70).

Refusing to leave licensed premises when asked to do so resulted in 21 fines, while there were a handful of tickets for being drunk and incapable, riotous drunken behaviour in pubs and malicious mischief.

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said, “We have found the issuing of fixed penalty notices for low-level anti-social behaviour to be most effective.

“Not only does it free up officer time otherwise spent writing crime reports and giving evidence in court, payment of the penalty by the recipient discharges their liability to conviction of the offence and a criminal record.”

The force’s policy on the use of the tickets states that fines are only issued in breach of the peace cases at the “minor end of the scale,” such as a disturbance involving a person shouting and swearing.

Tickets will not be handed out where there is an identifiable victim, a weapon is brandished, a racial or religious aggravation, or the incident is of a sexual nature.

Vandalism and malicious mischief cases can only be dealt with by way of the on-the-spot fines “where there is minor damage caused to property”.

“Where an incident has resulted in substantial damage, and/or damage which is likely to result in significant cost to the owner of the property, it is not appropriate to issue a FPN,” stated the force.

Fife Constabulary started using the measure in May 2007 after an independent evaluation of the Tayside pilot found it had brought “swift and visible action” against anti-social behaviour.

During 2007, 1193 tickets were issued, including 383 for breaches of the peace, 340 for urinating or defecating in public and 320 for drinking in public.

The following year, officers handed out 1902 fines, while a further 906 have been issued so far in 2009.

The force said, “Anti-social behaviour is of considerable concern to the community as it can lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of people’s lives.

“Fife Constabulary recognises that individuals have the right to live in peace and safety, free from harassment, intimidation and all other forms of anti-social behaviour.

“The force is committed to tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour and will work with partner agencies to respond effectively to local needs, concerns and priorities in accordance with the common law, The Anti-Social Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 and other legislative provisions.”