MSP calls for 'hi-viz' offenders

OFFENDERS carrying out community service should be made to wear high visibility clothing, Labour said today.

The party's justice spokesman at Holyrood, Richard Baker, said the move would reassure the public that offenders doing community service were engaged in useful work benefiting the community.

Mr Baker said: "In America many community courts get their offenders to wear 'hi-viz' vests. The community can clearly see that offenders are working hard to repay their debt to society for the offence they have caused.

"At the moment, the general public have little confidence in community service and after the record number of breaches this year it's difficult to alter the perception that community service is a soft-touch option.

"Justice must not only be done but it needs to be seen to be done."