 More than �200,000 is owed in unpaid fines across the county. |
Police in north Staffordshire have made more than 40 arrests in a crackdown on fine-dodgers. Many people were taken from their homes to court in handcuffs as part of Operation Payback on Wednesday.
Magistrates have given some defaulters suspended sentences and others have paid up and been released.
A number turned up at courts voluntarily to pay their penalties after hearing about the operation, police said.
More than �200,000 is owed in unpaid fines across the county.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said of the 41 people arrested, eight people had received suspended prison sentences on condition that they paid their fines.
Chief executive of the Staffordshire Magistrates' Courts Committee Peter Woolliscroft said it was "unacceptable" if people did not pay a fine imposed by the courts.
"Defaulters who have failed to pay will suffer serious consequences," he said.
"These might include immediate commitment to prison or deduction of the fine from their wages or benefit."
Speaking on Wednesday Supt Mick Harrison said: "The people arrested today have been ignoring the order of the courts following convictions for crimes.
"Those who have been refusing to pay society back for their wrong doing must be brought back before the courts."
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