POLICE sent out a stern warning to persistent fine dodgers yesterday with a series of early morning swoops.

Officers called as early as 7am at the homes of fine defaulters in Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Crook.

The blitz, which targeted more than 200 people who had fines outstanding, was part of the Government-backed Operation Payback campaign.

People who had defaulted on court-imposed and on-the-spot fines were taken to their local police station and then transferred to Newton Aycliffe magistrates' court to be dealt with.

Civilian enforcement officers teamed up with police to identify which outstanding warrants should be executed.

A dozen people were caught in the first ten minutes of yesterday's operation in Darlington, and more offenders were taken in throughout the day.

Police chiefs hailed the crackdown as a major success and pledged that it would continue in future.

Inspector John Blacklock, of Darlington police, said: "People are coming into the court system but just ignoring what they have to do, and it has got to the stage where we are going to sort it out.

"We want to send out the message that if you are going to get fined for something and ignore it, we are going to come and get you."

Yesterday's operation followed similar moves in the north of County Durham and in North Yorkshire.

Insp Blacklock said: "Hopefully people will realise that all they have to do is get themselves down to the court and sort things out.

"It is far easier than the alternative, which is that we come knocking on the door first thing in the morning."

Defaulters who fail to pay their fines can have them deducted from their wages or benefits. Persistent offenders face arrest and could possibly go to prison.

Any fine defaulters can still pay their debt at their local magistrates' court.