ADVERTORIAL There are some forces such as Staffordshire
and Lincolnshire Police who have either moved towards an offender pays model or are considering implementing one, and early indications from Staffordshire Police are that compliance need not suffer, when the model is based on a proportionate sanction, balanced with a rehabilitative intervention. Police services cannot profit from an offender pays model, but certainly the proportionate sanction for minor offences adjusted for by weekly income could be used as part of a social equity fund by OPCC offices to ensure that the ability to access diversionary programs is not hampered by the ability to pay. This model already exists within the Magistrates courts system but isn’t strictly monitored or adhered to. The two-tier framework provides an opportunity to: A) Resolve cases faster. B) Promote fairness and give victims a voice in an outcome that meets their needs. C) Deter future offending. D) Reduce the risk of unnecessary court escalation.
Current UK practice largely relies on fixed penalties that do not account for ability to pay. This creates two major issues: 1. Inequality of impact: £100 is a crushing burden for some and a trivial inconvenience for others. 2. Reduced deterrence: For high-income offenders, low fines are unlikely to influence behaviour (Cavadino & Dignan, 2006).
This undermines both the fairness and effectiveness of sanctions. It can also increase fine default rates, which in turn require more enforcement time from already-stretched forces. Importantly, such systems must be framed clearly to the public and media. The failure of the 1990s unit fine trial was as much about perception as substance. Communication should emphasise that equity isn’t leniency it’s smart, responsive justice. If developed thoughtfully, proportional fines within OoCRs could promote behaviour change, reduce workloads, and restore public confidence in the justice system. For overburdened police services, that’s an idea worth backing.
References
Cavadino, M. and Dignan, J., 2006. Penal systems: A comparative approach. London: SAGE. Hillsman, S.T., 1990. Fines and day fines. Crime and Justice, 12, pp.49–98. Kaila, M., 2024. Financial penalties and repeat speeding: Evidence from Finland. Helsinki: Helsinki Institute of Criminology. Kilchling, M., 2005. Day-fines: International developments and standards. Freiburg: Max Planck Institute.
Sanders, A. and Young, R., 2000. Criminal justice in England and Wales. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, 20(4), pp.633–660.
Our new regular feature spotlights books that resonate with the policing community. From gripping crime
BOOKED
fiction and real-life accounts, to memoirs, wellbeing, and personal development titles, each edition we’ll highlight stand-out reads for our members
This issue’s reviews are brought to us by Claire Blekkenhorst, PFEW’s Senior Marketing Manager
John Sutherland is a former Metropolitan Police Commander whose insider knowledge brings an unparalleled realism to his writing. He has written two memoirs sharing his personal experiences as a police officer, which are excellent but when I stumbled across his debut novel, The Siege, in 2022 I was so hooked I ended up messaging him on social media, desperate to know when the next book featuring Superintendent Alex Lewis would be released. His latest novel, The Castle, I devoured in a single day. His
storytelling is utterly gripping, and I’m completely invested in the characters. You simply can’t put his books down, I need to know what happens next, and I need him to write more! A short overview of each is below to give you a flavour of what to expect.
THE SIEGE (2022) A London school is under siege and Supt. Alex Lewis is the negotiator brought in to prevent a massacre. The story unfolds in real time and draws deeply on the author’s own experience as a police negotiator.
THE FALLEN (2023)
The sequel follows Supt. Lewis this time taking him to Westminster bridge to talk a woman from jumping. The following investigation unravels layers of political corruption at the heart of government.
THE CASTLE (2025) The latest instalment takes Supt. Lewis to the Scottish Highlands only to get caught up in an attempted kidnap of a thoroughly unpleasant Earl. High-stakes action with intense negotiation follows in this emotionally charged thriller.
Order a signed copy:
johnsutherlandauthor.co.uk/get-a-signed-copy
Got a book that belongs here? We’re always on the lookout for compelling titles. Whether you’re an author, publisher or simply passionate about a book that speaks to the policing world, we want to hear from you. Email
sponsorship@polfed.org to get involved.
47 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2025
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