SEVEN hundred fine cheats in Huddersfield can expect a knock on their door.

The people who try to avoid paying court fines in the town will be tracked down this month in a huge operation.

It is part of a month-long campaign launched by Her Majesty’s Courts Service.

Operation Crackdown will see HMCS Court Enforcement Officers and local police in North and West Yorkshire engaging in a series of blitzes on offenders’ homes to collect unpaid fines.

In Huddersfield they are chasing up tens of thousands of pounds worth in unpaid fines.

And the message is: There is no hiding place.

Richard Perrett, who is heading up the West Yorkshire operation, said: “I can promise them all they will get a call or a visit.

“We will offer to negotiate payment terms but if they refuse, we have warrants for their arrest and we will take them back to court immediately.

“The court officers are working with police and special courts will run as long as is necessary to deal with these people.

“Until these fines are paid, they have not been punished – and if they don’t pay, they could well be sent to prison.”

Bailiffs will also be issued with warrants to confiscate property.

Where necessary, those who refuse to co-operate will be arrested. Court time will be set aside to deal specifically with fine dodgers.

The last Operation Crackdown blitz which took place in February 2010 saw 9,425 warrants executed and £1.02m collected across England & Wales.

Mr Perrett said: “We are targeting every fine defaulter, be it for not having a TV licence, dropping litter in the street or a serious assault.

“If they have avoided paying, perhaps by moving address or giving false details to the courts, we will track them down.

“We have worked with many other agencies and we have their details.

“The public do not want to see these people getting away with their crimes.”

Dyfed Foulkes, HMCS Area Director for North and West Yorkshire, said: “Our message to fine dodgers is clear: pay up now or face the consequences.

“The courts will do everything within their powers to trace those who do not pay.

“Money can be taken from an offender's earnings or from benefits if they are unemployed.

“Warrants can be issued instructing court employed agents to seize and sell goods belonging to the offender. Ultimately an offender can be imprisoned for non-payment of their fine”.