THE chief of West Mercia's magistrates courts has defended the non-collection of almost £2m of fines in the area.

According to figures for January to March this year, only 71 per cent of the fines handed down by magistrates across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire was collected.

But this still places West Mercia in the top quarter of the country's most successful collection areas and Nick Jones, the justices' chief executive, said the figure, eight months on, was much higher thanks to a more efficient "business-like" approach.

"In the past, people had to go into court to pay a fine but we now have a variety of ways, including a payment card which we introduced earlier this year and has been a great success," he said.

"There is also Trans Cash via the Post Office, consolidating fines to make them more manageable and we have just appointed an officer for a fines clinic, to be introduced shortly.

"Altogether, we are collecting a considerable amount more money than before and believe we are now at the very top of the table out of 42 other areas in the country.

He said one of the main reasons for the outstanding £1,961,760 was the high number of cases dealt with in absence, such as road traffic fines.

"The magistrates have to deal with them without knowing the defendant's means and the fine might have to be reduced later on," he said.

"These figures are then included in those that are written off, which is not what has happened."

Plans to increase the powers of courts are in the pipeline, however, including deducting fines from wages and benefits, continuing to chase fines after 12 months, increasing fines if offenders fail to pay up on time and giving reductions to those who do.

Offenders who are genuinely unable to pay the fine will be made to do unpaid work in the community as an alternative punishment.

There is also a possibility of the courts having access to police records to help trace offenders.

But Mr Jones said one of the biggest stumbling blocks was the Government's attitude to fine payment.

"I would like us to have the same powers as the local authority has when collecting civil debts like council tax," he said.

"Compensation to victims of crime should be a higher priority."