PEOPLE across Worcestershire who have not paid court fines could be visited by bailiffs during a month-long crackdown.

Enforcement officers from Her Majesty’s Court Service (HMCS) and police teams are blitzing offenders’ homes to collect unpaid fines during February.

Bailiffs will also be issued with warrants to confiscate property.

Where necessary, those who refuse to co-operate will be arrested and court time will be set aside to deal specifically with fine dodgers.

The Operation Crackdown blitz which took place in February last year saw 9,425 warrants executed and £1.02 million collected across England and Wales – 14.7 per cent more cash than was collected in February 2009.

In West Mercia, in the 12 months up to September last year, a total of 1,246 attachment of earnings orders and 7,761 deduction from benefits orders were issued.

Some of these were issued in the courts and others were imposed upon people who failed to pay their fines.

Mark Swales, HMCS regional director for the Midlands, 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 to seize and sell goods belonging to the offender.

Ultimately, an offender can be imprisoned for non-payment.” In the last financial year, 64,000 warrants to seize and sell goods were issued by courts across the Midlands.

Mr Swales said officers are now better trained to catch fine dodgers with more tracing tools at their disposal.

The court service is also working with magistrates to get more fines paid on the day they are imposed.

Fines can be paid via the national fine payment line on 0300 790 9901 or online at direct.gov.uk/payacourtfine