Fine dodgers told: Pay up or pay the price

People who try to avoid paying court fines across England & Wales will be targeted in a month-long campaign launched by Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) today (Monday 1 November 2010).

Operation Crackdown will see HMCS Court Enforcement Officers (CEOs) and local police in Greater Manchester 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. Where necessary, 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 the financial year 09/10 99,325 warrants to seize and sell goods were issued by magistrates' courts in the North West.

In the 12 months to June 2010 1042 Attachment of Earnings Orders and 37,865 Deduction from Benefits Orders were issued in Greater Manchester.

Steps taken to improve HMCS fine enforcement nationwide include:

• Better trained and equipped CEOs, with more tracing tools at their disposal to track down fine dodgers and the completion of a national rollout of secure cell vehicles.  Working with magistrates to get more fines paid on the day they are imposed.
• Full access to the DWP benefits information for HMCS staff to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of collection and enforcement.
• Full rollout of new payment methods including payment cards and the ability to pay fines on line.
• Increased telephone debt chasing.
• Texting non-compliant offenders to warn them of the consequences of non-payment.

Fines can be paid via the National Fine Payment Line on 0300 790 9901 (England) or 0300 790 9980 (Wales) or online at www.direct.gov.uk/payacourtfine.