OFFENDERS in Bolton owe nearly £1 million in unpaid fines, new figures have revealed.

Last year the town's magistrates courts issued penalties totalling £2,464, 976 but only £1,338, 430 was collected, leaving it £926,419 short, according to official figures.

A crackdown on non-payment of fines imposed by courts has now been launched to make offenders pay up.

Three new civilian enforcement officers have been appointed, helping the two already working hard on the big problem, to boost the collection of hundreds of thousands of pounds of unpaid fines.

The five-strong team will go out into the streets of Bolton, knocking on the doors of those who have not paid and warning them of the position they are in if they do not pay.

Failure to hand over the money could lead to bailiffs being sent, an appearance in the dock and a possible prison sentence.

Offenders

The magistrates court will be setting aside its normal business on certain days, starting tomorrow, to hold full sessions of special fines courts in a bid to reduce the huge backlog of arrears.

Alex Carlos, Clerk to the Justices in Bolton, said the main reason for non-payment is pure disobedience by offenders.

He said it was one of his main aims this year to increase the rate of repayment of fines and the civilian officers will concentrate on fines due for lesser crimes, such as motoring or breaches of court orders, leaving the police free to concentrate on the more serious offenders.

He added: "The people of Bolton can be confident we are doing our best and I'm sure the magistrates will be tough on fine offenders."