SAND sculptor Mark Anderson has praised on-the-spot fines for yobs who have been causing havoc.

Police in Dorset have issued 1,350 fines in the past year in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

The latest penalty ticket for £80 was given to a 21-year-old man who was caught stealing cash from Mr Anderson's compound on Weymouth seafront during the early hours of the morning.

Mr Anderson, whose business has been targeted in the past, said he hoped the fines would make people think twice.

Last year police forces were given the power to use spot fines for between £40 and £80 for minor offences after pilot schemes showed they helped tackle offending, reduced paperwork and freed up police time. Mr Anderson, who is planning a revamp of his premises for next season, said the crime-busting CCTV network coupled with the fines was helping to make Weymouth a safer place.

He said: "The use of these on-the-spot fines demonstrates that you cannot get away with this activity in Weymouth.

"The police have to combat anti-social behaviour somehow and I think it's a great way to make people think twice before committing crime.

"A fine of £80 is a considerable amount of money to come up with for some people and I think the same system should be in force for people who drop litter."

Mr Anderson added: "I've had trouble in the past with vandals and even considered covering the whole compound and charging people to see the sculptures but CCTV has helped a great deal.

"This was the first incident this year."

Sergeant David Hughes of East Weymouth police said minor offences including drink-related public order, theft and criminal damage could be dealt with by way of penalty notices if the person was not a regular offender. Failure to pay would land the person in court.

He said: "The scheme has proved particularly effective in Weymouth.

"The town attracts a lot of people and some of them go overboard where alcohol is concerned and end up doing things they wouldn't normally do.

"Bringing them into custody and issuing them with fines frees up our time and the court's time and allows police officers to go back on the street quicker."