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Thousands seized in blitz on dodgers
POLICE have vowed to get tough after seizing thousands of pounds in a blitz on fine dodgers.
Officers went knocking on people's doors in Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, ordering them to pay up or risk jail.
Inspector Derrick Oldham of the upper valley neighbourhood policing team, said: "If people continue to fail to pay the court has the power to issue a committal warrant for them to go to prison."
The day of action was the latest purge carried out by officers from the team and court enforcement officers who are pledging similar operations in the future.
One person was arrested and sent straight to prison for 13 days.
Four others were arrested and a total of 6,691 was seized.
Inspector Oldham warned people who do not pay their fines can expect to find the police calling.
"This action sends out a clear message to people that they can't ignore the law and they have to pay their court fines," he said.
"If you have got fines outstanding we will be knocking on your door.
"There is a lot of money outstanding that could be used to benefit the community."
People fined at court are given several options on how to pay, including payment plans.
If they continually fail to pay up, a warrant for their arrest can be made.
Officers can then turn up on their doorstep, asking them to instantly hand over cash, set up a payment order or be arrested and face court.
Of the money seized in the latest operation, 1,925 came from cash paid out straight away.
Another 1,829 was paid through orders and 2,937 came after arrests.
Court enforcement officer Ian Corcoran said: "This is just what was taken during one day of action in the upper valley," he said.
While carrying out the operation police also arrested one man on suspicion of producing cannabis and cautioned another for possessing cannabis.
The move comes just a few weeks after a similar operation.
Then police seized 2,600 and made two arrests over unpaid fines.
Some of those targeted had evaded paying from as far back as 2006.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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