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15/03/2004
'Operation Payback' puts squeeze on fine dodgers
The government has stepped up its action in a crackdown on persistent fine dodgers.
The 'Operation Payback' campaign marks a drive across England and Wales to recover £354.4 million worth of outstanding fines in England and Wales, mostly consisting of unpaid fines from persistent offenders.
The fines blitz, part of the government's UK-wide 'Payback' campaign to recover criminals' assets and prevent money laundering, warns that if fine dodgers don't pay up, they may suffer serious consequences such as the fine being deducted from wages and benefits, or the fine defaulter could be arrested and imprisoned.
Courts Minister Christopher Leslie said Operation Payback is imminent but declined to reveal the exact timing: "Operation Payback puts an end to the perception some people have that crime pays, because the national fines blitz aims to recover money that belongs to the taxpayer and compensation that is owed to victims of crime.
"We have joined forces with the police, and other law enforcers, on two fronts in a bid to ensure that no stone is left unturned in relation to executing outstanding warrants.
"Firstly, our fines enforcement efforts sit alongside the government's national strategy to recover cash and assets from some of the country's most serious criminals.
"Secondly, police are working with civilian enforcement officers at magistrates courts to identify when warrants should be executed, verifying information and accompany court arrest teams.
"Operation Payback sends a strong message not only to fine dodgers, but also to the wider community, that we are serious about enforcing court decisions and, consequently, ensuring that public confidence in the criminal justice system is maintained."
Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman on Criminal Justice, John Burbeck, said: "Law enforcement nationally is making a concerted effort in Operation Payback to ensure that criminals and persistent offenders don't evade justice. We are delighted to support the fines blitz."
Last week posters were placed on notice boards in magistrates' courts and police stations across England and Wales.
Fines include court imposed fines and 'on the spot' Fixed Penalty Notices.
'Operation Payback' advertisements will appear in selected daily national and regional newspapers, and will be heard on 15 regional radio stations in the five major metropolitan areas. They include Greater London, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire and Merseyside.
(SP)
The 'Operation Payback' campaign marks a drive across England and Wales to recover £354.4 million worth of outstanding fines in England and Wales, mostly consisting of unpaid fines from persistent offenders.
The fines blitz, part of the government's UK-wide 'Payback' campaign to recover criminals' assets and prevent money laundering, warns that if fine dodgers don't pay up, they may suffer serious consequences such as the fine being deducted from wages and benefits, or the fine defaulter could be arrested and imprisoned.
Courts Minister Christopher Leslie said Operation Payback is imminent but declined to reveal the exact timing: "Operation Payback puts an end to the perception some people have that crime pays, because the national fines blitz aims to recover money that belongs to the taxpayer and compensation that is owed to victims of crime.
"We have joined forces with the police, and other law enforcers, on two fronts in a bid to ensure that no stone is left unturned in relation to executing outstanding warrants.
"Firstly, our fines enforcement efforts sit alongside the government's national strategy to recover cash and assets from some of the country's most serious criminals.
"Secondly, police are working with civilian enforcement officers at magistrates courts to identify when warrants should be executed, verifying information and accompany court arrest teams.
"Operation Payback sends a strong message not only to fine dodgers, but also to the wider community, that we are serious about enforcing court decisions and, consequently, ensuring that public confidence in the criminal justice system is maintained."
Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman on Criminal Justice, John Burbeck, said: "Law enforcement nationally is making a concerted effort in Operation Payback to ensure that criminals and persistent offenders don't evade justice. We are delighted to support the fines blitz."
Last week posters were placed on notice boards in magistrates' courts and police stations across England and Wales.
Fines include court imposed fines and 'on the spot' Fixed Penalty Notices.
'Operation Payback' advertisements will appear in selected daily national and regional newspapers, and will be heard on 15 regional radio stations in the five major metropolitan areas. They include Greater London, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire and Merseyside.
(SP)
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