Court debtors paying up after early morning raids

In a series of early morning raids across County Durham, more than 100 police and court bailiffs with warrants collected in excess of £25,000 in unpaid court fines and compensation.

Last week, the team served 587 warrants for fine evasions, or failure to pay compensation to crime victims or settle civil damages orders.

From 6am, Monday to Friday, they visited about 130 homes in Peterlee, Seaham, Durham, Chester le Street and across Derwentside, Sedgefield, Wear Valley, Teesdale and Darlington.

Before the operation, debtors were warned to pay their outstanding sums in full or face arrest and a court appearance.

Head of community finances for the Magistrates' Court of County Durham, Brinley Jones, said: "They had a chance to settle up before we visited their homes.

"Many did pay, but those who didn't were knocked out of bed. If they didn't have the money they were arrested and taken to court.

"The money we have recovered is taxpayers' money which goes back to central Government or as compensation which recipients deserve."

Some of the fines dated from 2001 and the work of the police was praised during Operation Payback 2, particularly for the local knowledge they offered to recovery company TNC.

Mr Jones warned that future operations were being planned and that there would be no Christmas or New Year amnesty for people who thought they had escaped.

He said: "Some people may have moved and think they don't have to face their responsibilities and pay fines or compensation.

"But we got some useful information from neighbours and will pursue those we didn't get during the operation.

"We will be working morning, day and night, seven days a week to ensure that money owed is paid.

"If they think they will get away with it they can think again.

"In future we'll have the power to deduct more money directly from a person's wages or benefits and if fines are to be a realistic way of fighting crime they must be visibly enforced."