. . . But government still not in the clear

THE Conservatives yesterday moved to ensure more offenders carrying out community service are asked to clear snow and ice from roads and pavements.

Tory leader Annabel Goldie called for action after First Minister Alex Salmond revealed that only 165 convicted criminals had been required to tackle the Arctic weather conditions.

He told MSPs at Holyrood that while more than 5,000 community service orders have been handed out by courts recently, only 2,500 people were currently working in the community. Thirty people had been set to clearing snow in Aberdeen, 60 in North Lanarkshire, 15 in East Renfrewshire and 60 in Glasgow. It later also emerged that four young male offenders were clearing snow and ice around a community centre, sheltered housing for the elderly and shops at Fort William.

In the Perth and Kinross area, some 10 offenders have been working to keep roads and pavements clear of snow over the last two weeks.

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said no offenders had been tasked with clearing snow and ice. This was being carried out by local authority work crews.

Miss Goldie said the government had “not gripped” the challenge of using criminals with community service orders to clear snow and ice from the outset and called for more to be used.

Mr Salmond said a “substantial effort” to do so was being made across Scotland.