THE number of people prosecuted for breaching their bail conditions in the Lothians has more than doubled over the last three years.
Latest figures from the Scottish Government show 616 people were taken through the courts for bail offences last year, compared with 268 in 2003/04.
Opposition MSPs today said the figures proved a radical overhaul was needed of the system, But t
he Scottish Government said tougher sentencing for those breaching bail conditions, introduced in December, mean those caught now have no excuses.
The volume of bail orders issued has jumped significantly in recent years with the advent of the European Human Rights Act, which allows anyone to apply for bail regardless of the offence.
In the Lothians, the figures have soared from 7030 in 2003/04 to 9696 last year.
Greater use of bail orders is one of the ideas being considered by the Government as part of a bid to reduce Scotland's record prison population by about a third.
Latest Scottish Government figures also reveal that a total of 974 offenders in Edinburgh had breached conditions or failed to appear in court following bail during 2006/07.
Bill Aitken, the Scottish Tories' justice spokesman, said: "These figures confirm what we already know, that each year of Labour/Lib Dem administration, and now with the SNP minority Government, has resulted in the creation of a 'soft touch Scotland'.
"We need tougher sentencing, an end to the extension of home-time curfews and a thorough review of the European Convention on Human Rights, which has made bail law in Scotland such a joke."
One of the city's most prolific graffiti taggers, Calum Brindley, was last week handed a stiffer sentence after being caught tagging while out on bail.
Brindley, 20, of Bruntsfield, was ordered to carry out 400 hours of community service at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after being charged with daubing graffiti on Rose Street, Leith Walk, Great Junction Street, Commercial Street and Leith Links.
However, half of the community service order was because the offence occurred while he was subject to bail conditions.
Lothians Green MSP Robin Harper said: 'There is clearly a problem with the bail system which must be addressed.
"The biggest problem is re-offending and until we take the view that every sentence, whether jail or community service, incorporates serious and effective measures to address the offender's problems as well as punish the offender appropriately, we are not going to get anywhere."
The figures reveal a total of 11,000 bail offences were recorded in one year across Scotland.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Bail decisions are taken by the judiciary based on the circumstances of each case – independently of ministers.
"These figures for 2006/07 relate to the previous administration. However, in opposition and now in Government, ministers have recognised general public concern about the bail and remand system.
"Legislation to tighten the law was introduced in December, including increased maximum sentences for breaching bail conditions.
"An accused who breaches their bail now has no excuse – the effect of their bail conditions will have been explained to them when granted bail, including the penalties available if they breach their conditions. Tough enforcement action, including increased maximum sentences for bail breach, will send a clear message that bail breaches will not be tolerated
."
The full article contains 560 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
