COURTS in part of the North-East have come out high in the league for making criminals pay for their crimes.

Since the start of the year, Cleveland has been second only to North Yorkshire in the proportion of fines collected.

Anne Smith, head of fines and fees for Cleveland Magistrates' Courts, said: "For the first time, our payment rate has topped 100 per cent.

"This means that, in 2004, we have collected more cash than magistrates have imposed in fines. So, as promised, we are catching up with people who have previously slipped through the net."

The latest statistics show the impact of the recent Operation Payback, when Cleveland Police and court staff worked together to track down more than 80 fine-dodgers, who collectively had more than 450 warrants against them. This involved early morning calls at homes throughout Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, and is part of an ongoing programme to target the worst fine-defaulters.

David Moreton JP said: "Last year, with the help of Dari Taylor MP, we successfully lobbied the for funds to enable us to enforce fines properly.

"These latest figures show the investment is paying off. We are at the start of a year-long initiative to bring fine defaulters to book. The message is that fines are expected to be paid and the money will be collected."