A MAGISTRATES' courts committee has taken over the responsibility from police for executing warrants against fine defaulters and people who breach community sentences.
The Durham Magistrates' Courts Committee said the move will allow the courts to give a higher priority to the enforcement of penalties they impose, while allowing Durham Constabulary to concentrate resources on fighting crime.
The measures, under the 1999 Access to Justice Act, came into force earlier this year, and gives civilian enforcement officers and private enforcement agencies, employed by the courts, power to execute warrants anywhere in England and Wales.
Brinley Jones, head of court administration for North Durham, said police will still be involved in executing warrants if there is a perceived risk of violence or disorder.
Magistrates' courts have been provided with new means to track "missing" defaulters.
Under an agreement with the Department of Social Security, the courts will be able to check for a more up-to-date address for a defaulter.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article