01/11/2004

Fines defaulters targeted in 'Payback' crackdown

A national crackdown on fine defaulters, Operation Payback 2, gets underway today with a targeted multimedia advertising campaign across England and Wales.

Beermats, posters, leaflets and advertisements on radio and in newspapers and men's magazines will warn those who refuse to pay criminal penalties imposed by the courts that time is running out.

The advertising campaign, with the slogan 'Think You'll Get Away With It? Think Again', cautions that a concerted drive to recover unpaid fines has begun and if fine dodgers don't pay up immediately they may suffer serious consequences – such as having the fine deducted from wages or benefits, car clamping or imprisonmment.

The nationally co-ordinated fines blitz, the second of its kind, is part of the government's UK-wide 'Payback' campaign to recover criminals' assets and prevent money laundering.

For the first time, it may include roadblocks using police Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) mobile units; targeting fine defaulters on persistent offender lists and identifying the worst offenders.

Courts Minister Christopher Leslie said: "We're giving people a chance to come clean now by warning them through the advertising campaign that they need to pay their outstanding fine immediately in order to avoid possible arrest. If they don't, the next knock on the door could mean payback time has come."

Operation Payback 2 involves a range of law enforcers across several criminal justice agencies. In particular, hundreds of Civilian Enforcement Officers (CEOs) at magistrates courts will work closely with police to identify the worst offenders and track them down.

The first Operation Payback netted £750,000 and resulted in a significant increase in fine defaulters coming forward for months afterwards.

(gmcg/sp)

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