HUNDREDS of people across Huddersfield had a nasty knock on their doors early today.

This morning magistrates' court officials and police were blitzing people who have not paid court fines.

Operation Payback, the biggest day of its kind ever in the town, hit more than 500 addresses for culprits who have failed to pay up.

Today's massive operation has come as a short, sharp shock to people who thought they were getting away without paying.

With unpaid fines in the county now totalling £13m, court enforcement officials decided to take the drastic action as part of a nationwide campaign.

And they have urged others to now pay up or face having court officials and police turn up at their homes too.

People who failed to pay on the doorstep this morning were arrested.

Special hearings at Huddersfield Magistrates' Courts had been set up to deal with the dozens of people expected through them all day.

Cheryl Haddlesey, district service manager at West Yorkshire Magistrates' Court service collection and enforcement centre, said: "These fines have been imposed in magistrates' courts for crimes ranging from burglary and theft through to motoring offences and having no TV licences."

Acting Insp Steve Norman from West Yorkshire Police's Target team said: "There are 30,000 outstanding fine warrants in West Yorkshire. Some of them are for prolific criminals.

"We aim to disrupt the criminal fraternity and have an impact on crime levels."

Mrs Haddlesey added:

"If people who owe fines have not been targeted today, their time will come.

"Some people who have been fined bury their heads in the sand and hope it will go away.

"But it won't."

People who fail to pay risk having cash deducted from wages or benefits, having their cars clamped or having fines increased by up to 50%.

Offenders could also have their details passed on to credit reference agencies making it almost impossible to get personal loans, credit cards, mortgages or bank accounts.

Persistent non-payers who cannot make a payment could be made to do unpaid community work instead.

Some serial offenders could be jailed.

People wanting to sort out their unpaid fines can call the WYMCS enforcement office on 0113 307 6600.