PEOPLE ignoring court fines on Teesside face Christmas behind bars.

Hundreds of fine-dodgers have already found out there is no escaping the long arm of the law.

More than 220 were escorted to their local station by police and court enforcement officers following a series of early morning raids across Teesside in recent days.

The blitz is to continue, with a stark warning from Cleveland Police that failure to pay up before there is a knock on the door, could mean Christmas in prison.

"It will be in their interests to pay up, or they could find themselves looking forward to Christmas in a prison cell," said Chief Inspector Gary Stephenson yesterday.

During the string of raids, dubbed Operation Payback, many fine dodgers paid up immediately to avoid being taken to court, with the result that nearly £7,000 handed over.

Others, who appeared before the magistrates, received a range of sentences - including jail.

Chief Insp Stephenson said: "Many people thought they could just turn their back on the courts and nothing would be done.

"This group has discovered reality is somewhat different and the long arm of the law can and will reach out for them

"More than 700 warrants have been executed and the message we have for those with outstanding fines and compensation orders is simple: 'We have your names, we know where you live and you should expect a knock on your door'."

Courts at Teesside and Hartlepool have been sitting from 8am each day to deal with those detained.

Anne Smith, head of fines and fees for Teesside and Hartlepool Magistrates' Courts, said: "Anyone with outstanding warrants for non-payment of fines is advised to contact the courts to avoid being arrested as part of the crackdown on defaulters."

Chief Insp Stephenson said: "We deliberately kept this operation low profile to ensure none of the people listed in the first phase of this operation could get wind of it and go to ground.

"To say they were surprised is an understatement. Some people immediately paid up to avoid going back to court.