A POLICE operation in Horsham identified 17 people with 65 outstanding warrants between them.
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The joint Sheriff’s Office and Victoria Police road-block operation ran in Stawell Road on Wednesday.
Victorian Sheriff Brendan Facey said the operation from 10am to 2pm identified drivers with unpaid vehicle fines, including parking tickets.
The 65 outstanding warrants totaled more than $26,000.
Mr Facey said officers finalised 58 warrants worth about $21,000 on the day.
“We were very pleased with how it went,” he said.
“Out of the 17 people, 15 dealt with their warrants.”
Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology was used during the operation to identify drivers and outstanding fines.
Mr Facey said officers were able to apply a range of sanctions, including the seizure and sale of their assets, licence or registration suspension, and – as a final option – arrest and imprisonment.
Wheel clamps are also often used as a sanction method, but Mr Facey said these were not needed during last week’s operation due to the large percentage of people paying their outstanding fines.
He said officers had automated ATMs and EFTPOS machines at the road-blocks so people could pay on the spot.
Mr Facey encouraged people to deal with their fines early to avoid additional penalties and the infringement becoming a warrant.
“The best way to avoid being identified in a Sheriff’s operation is to contact us early to discuss your options,” he said.
“If people let it go and don’t pay, they could come away with a very significant debt.”
Mr Facey said the sheriff’s operations were in place across Victoria every day.
“Our message is simply to deal with sanctions as early as you can,” he said.
“There are payment plans available and other options.”
Mr Facey said people could contact Civic Compliance Victoria on 1300 221 249 or visit www.fines.vic.gov.au to check if they had an outstanding fine and pay.
The Sheriff is responsible for warrants for non-payment of fines, including failure to pay infringement notices for on-the-spot fines registered as Infringement Court Orders, and failure to pay fines imposed by a magistrate following a court appearance.