A CRACKDOWN on fine dodgers is planned for next month meaning many defaulters could end up with a court summons landing on their doormat.

Criminals in both York and Selby who have failed to pay fines are being targeted in the blitz, which is part of a national strategy dubbed Operation Crackdown. Those who have failed to pay or attempt to pay fines and compensation imposed by local magistrates could find themselves jailed.

The move comes after four fines blitzes across the district in the last few months netted a total of £22,000 – £14,000 from York criminals and £8,000 from Selby wrong-doers, and the money is still coming in.

David Jackson, deputy justices clerk for York and Selby Magistrates’ Courts, said the blitzes had been organised to ensure the authority of the court was upheld.

He said: “It’s part of the courts’ ongoing work to ensure when magistrates impose compensation and fines the money gets paid.

“The majority of people do pay, but those who will not and refuse, then the court vigorously and robustly enforces the amounts imposed. It also inspires confidence in the local justice system.”

Mr Jackson said magistrates did not want to jail people, but it was a punishment open to the worst and most wilful offenders.

He said: “The court is not seeking to send people to prison, the court is seeking to enforce those orders, but prison is an option for those who refuse or neglect to pay and while it is a last resort it is used by the courts.”

People who will be targeted in next months’ blitz are persistent defaulters, those who are refusing or neglecting to pay compensation to victims and those who have large sums of money outstanding.