‘Pay up or face the consequences’

FINE dodgers will be targeted during a month-long campaign by Her Majesty’s Courts Service.

Operation Crackdown will see court Enforcement officers (CEOs) and local police engaging in a series of blitzes on offenders’ homes to chase up repayments.

Approved enforcement agencies will also be issued with warrants to confiscate property and those who refuse to co-operate will be arrested. Court time will be set aside to deal specifically with fine dodgers.

John Foley, HMCS area director for Greater Manchester, said: “Our message to fine dodgers is clear — pay up now or face the consequences.

“The courts will do everything within their powers to trace those who do not pay.

“Money can be taken from an offender’s earnings or from benefits if they are unemployed.

“Warrants can be issued instructing court-employed agents to seize and sell goods belonging to the offender. Ultimately an offender can be imprisoned for non-payment of their fine.”

In 2009-10, 99,325 warrants to seize and sell goods were issued by magistrates’ courts in the North-West.

In the 12 months leading up to June, 2010, 1,042 attachment of earnings orders and 37,865 deduction from benefits orders were issued in Greater Manchester.

Measures such as training staff, rolling out new payments methods and texting offenders to warn them of the consequences of non-payment are being tried.

Visit www.direct.gov.uk/payacourtfine to find out more.