ABOUT 30 people wanted for not paying fines were arrested in yesterday's blitz across Huddersfield.

And court officials backed up by police collected £3,283 in unpaid fines on doorsteps across the town.

The homes of well over 400 people who had failed to pay fines imposed by magistrates were visited in the clamp- down.

Many were out and have been left stern letters telling them to pay up or attend a special fines court at the town's magistrates' court.

If they don't, they face being arrested.

Yesterday's blitz - part of a nationwide clampdown called Operation Payback - was the biggest of its kind ever in the town.

Court officials say unpaid fines in West Yorkshire total £13m.

People who failed to pay when confronted at their homes were arrested and taken to a special fines courts at Huddersfield Magistrates Courts.

The magistrates have several options.

They can send the person straight to jail or suspend that sentence pending payment. At least two people were given suspended terms.

Magistrates can also order a distress warrant. If the person does not pay they will lose something valuable - such as their car - instead of payment.

People under 25 can be sent to an attendance centre for non-payment of fines and at least one person was given that punishment yesterday.

A courts spokeswoman said: "Many people will have got quite a shock yesterday teatime when they arrived home to find we had left them a letter.

"People who do not pay their fines will not get away with it."

One couple were so shocked they went straight to Huddersfield Magistrates' Court office to sort out their unpaid fines.

Another man went and paid £250.

The spokeswoman added: "After today fine defaulters will realise they won't get away without paying.

"There will be a knock-on effect over the coming days when people contact us to pay."

People wanting to sort out unpaid fines should phone 0113 307 6600.