Sussex Police handed out more than 5,000 penalty fines last year for disorder.

Figures reveal the youngest recipient of a drunk and disorderly fine was 17.

During 2007, there were 5,034 Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs).

They were issued for a range of offences from wasting police time to being drunk and disorderly and throwing fireworks.

Of the figure, 3,933 were to men and 1,101 were issued to women. Offenders are given £50 or £80 fines.

The figures were released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Other figures show that in the financial year 2006-07 the force issued 5,242 PNDs.

Of those, 2,250 were paid in full within 21 days while 746 were paid in full outside the 21-day period but before being referred to magistrates. A total of 1,916 were referred to the courts for enforcement and a 50 per cent increase in the fine, while 121 recipients requested a court hearing and 209 fines were cancelled.

Previous figures have shown a dramatic increase in drunk behaviour since the introduction of late licensing laws in November 2005.

Between January 2005 and November 2005, Sussex Police issued 2,872 £80 fines for drunken behaviour. Between December 2005 and October 2006 that had increased to 4,613 fines issued - a rise of 60 per cent.

PNDs were introduced as part of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

They are designed to allow police officers to deliver, according to the Government, "swift, simple and effective justice" on low-level antisocial behaviour.

They were brought in to reduce the amount of time officers spent filling in paperwork and attending court.

PNDs can be issued to anyone over 16 and can be £50 or £80, depending on the offence.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "PNDs are used so less serious offences can be dealt with appropriately and proportionately.

Not all offences require the formal sanction of a caution or conviction for a first-time offender. Should a person commit a further offence having received a PND, the issuing of a subsequent one is not an option.

"They would in this case be subject to more serious sanctions such as caution, prosecution and so forth depending on the circumstances."

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