'Operation Payback II', a nationally driven initiative to enforce payment of outstanding fines, was operated in Dyfed Powys at two locations, Llanelli and Haverfordwest, last week. Over £23,000 of the fines outstanding were enforced and collected as a result of the operation and some defaulters were committed to prison. Of the 530 outstanding warrants, successful action was taken on 196 arrest warrants. The majority of the fine defaulters apprehended and brought before the courts were told to pay up immediately, to avoid facing the prospect of an immediate commitment to prison. Those without the immediate means to pay were allowed to telephone friends or relatives to raise the cash to secure their release. A small minority of defaulters, with genuine reasons for their default, was allowed to forge binding and sanctions based agreements to pay. In cases where culpable neglect in making payments was found, the invariable result was a committal to prison. For some, committals were suspended, but four defaulters were actually committed and conveyed to prison to serve time in default of payment. Rhian Davies Rees, the Dyfed Powys Magistrates' Courts' performance officer, led the operation. She said that the secret of the success was attributable to the dedicated and hard working Dyfed Powys Magistrates' Courts central finance office staff and court enforcement officers, working as a team with committed and determined police officers. The operation was operated from Tuesday to Friday last week, starting as early as 6 am and finishing most days at 10 pm. The search for defaulters was not just confined to their homes. There were instances of defaulters being arrested on licensed premises - one lady arrested was in the middle of a darts tournament. Another woman contacted and informed of her husband's incarceration promised to pay but only at the end of the day. He was eventually allowed to leave but only after a full payment in cash had been received. Many others were detained for long periods until payments were received in cash to discharge their liabilities. The aims of the operation were: • To secure payments and reduce the arrears. • To urge everyone due to pay fines or compensation to comply with the terms of payment orders to the court to avoid firm enforcement action. • To demonstrate that justice is administered. • To raise public confidence in the local courts and their ability to ensure that every effort was made to secure timely payments of compensation and fines. • To act as a deterrent to anyone neglecting their fine or compensation payments. Dyfed Powys has an excellent overall performance record, and 'Operation Payback II' (and any future similar operations) was just one enforcement tool. Those with a genuine inability to comply with orders to pay should act immediately to avoid arrest, detention and possible imprisonment. They should come forward and seek the assistance of the central finance office and the courts - ignoring liabilities and evading enforcement officers and the courts was unlikely to invite a sympathetic response. Fine defaulters, and those who have genuine reasons for not being able to meet their obligations to the court, should contact the Dyfed Powys central finance office on 01437 771200.
