Fixed Penalties - again.

The Mail on Sunday (not my favourite newspaper, but all due credit for this one) carries the story of someone who was given a fixed penalty while seriously ill.

At the risk of labouring the point ad nauseam, may I just reiterate my view that policemen are not equipped or trained to decide whether a penalty is appropriate or not. It would not be fair to ask them to do it. Their job is to deal with the immediate problem, and pass it on to a court for a considered decision.

The Mail story tells us what can go wrong with the 'summary' justice that is so close to Tony Blair's heart.