Criminal cost of unpaid fines

More than £33million in court fines remain unpaid across Greater Manchester.

A judge or magistrate can order a fine as the whole or part of a sentence for a wide range of offences, including theft, assault, drink driving, not having motor insurance or failing to pay a TV licence.

The Ministry of Justice says criminals are risking prison by failing to pay up.

At the end of the financial year 2009/10, a total of £33.16 million was outstanding — accumulated over a number of years.

In addition, figures show a further £19.2 million of new fines were issued in the same period across Greater Manchester. The problem is mirrored across the country. Across the North-West, £90million remains unpaid. The amount can also include compensation costs, victims’ surcharge and unpaid fixed-penalty notices.

A spokesman for Her Majesty’s Court Service said: “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. The Criminal Compliance and Enforcement Services blueprint is currently being implemented by all HMCS regions.

“The blueprint sets out HMCS’s strategic objective which is for a cheaper, faster and more proportionate enforcement system.”

HMIC says steps are being taken to improve collection rates, including contacting offenders via telephone and text and having full access to the Department for Work and Pensions benefit information.

Across England and Wales as a whole, a staggering £541 million of court fines are outstanding.

In June, the Government published proposals — currently out to consultation — to shut down 103 magistrates’ courts and 54 county courts across England and Wales, including Rochdale Magistrates’ and Salford Magistrates’ and County Court.

It said the closures, if implemented, could save about £15.3m per year in running costs along with a saving of £21.5m on maintenance costs across the country.