FINE defaulters are set to be targeted in a blitz to claw back some of the £1.2m in outstanding unpaid court fines.

Police officers and officials from the West Mercia Magistrates' Courts Service will be knocking on the doors of more than 200 people who are failing to make payments in Worcester.

The blitz will be taking place one day next week, when defaulters could find themselves back in court to explain why they are not paying up.

"The message is pay up or get caught," said court business manager and deputy area director Jeanette Peplow.

"We know who is making payments and who isn't and those who aren't could find themselves facing a prison sentence."

Across the whole of the West Mercia area, £2.3m in fines, court costs and compensation costs are outstanding, with £1.2m still to be paid in Worcestershire alone.

The courts now have more powers to obtain money by taking it directly from benefits or earnings, but there are some people who are escaping the system.

"If we do not have National Insurance numbers, or employers' names, then we have to issue warrants to arrest people who are failing to pay and they will then have to explain in court why they are not making payments.

"People cannot get away. We will catch up with them eventually."