FIRST we had fast-track justice. Now North Yorkshire police want to go one better with the introduction of instant justice.

Anyone caught behaving badly can be slapped with an immediate fine from Thursday when new powers come into force. Meanwhile, traffic police could confiscate a motorbike from a rider who has persistently broken the law, Chief Constable Della Cannings has revealed.

Both schemes share advantages. They are simple to understand and provide an immediate link between offence and retribution. But questions remain about how they will actually work.

The penalty notice for disorder can be dished out to a person committing one of a list of specific offences. These include being drunk and disorderly or causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Such a punishment certainly reduces police paperwork and saves court time and money - unless the person decides to challenge the decision before magistrates.

The doubts concern the practicality of the scheme. Quite how a police officer can be expected to successfully administer such a fine to a drunk is unclear.

And how do the police keep a record of persistent offenders whose anti-social behaviour goes undeterred by a series of "tickets"?

We welcome the force's determination to cut the appalling toll of biker deaths. Confiscating motorbikes from repeatedly reckless riders is only one potential weapon in the new get-tough approach.

Taking away a biker's prized possession would certainly act as a wake-up call to the offender and to others who break the law. But it would only be fair if dangerous motorists were also to be deprived of their cars.

Any new ideas to curb anti-social behaviour are worth trying. We can only judge their success by results. Until then, the jury's out.

Updated: 10:38 Tuesday, March 30, 2004