FINE dodgers got a rude awakening early today as police and court officials launched a crackdown.

Persistent offenders who avoid paying fines and compensation were targeted in a series of dawn raids on homes in west Dorset as part of Operation Payback.

Seven people were arrested in two hours before being hauled before magistrates.

Court warrant officers teamed up with Dorset Police for the initiative and were visiting 200 people across the county today.

Following a briefing at 6am at Dorchester police station by chief court warrant officer Adrian Leballeur, 24 officers visited addresses in the county town as well as in Weymouth, Bridport and Sherborne.

Offenders confronted on their doorsteps who could not pay the outstanding balance were taken into custody.

Mr Leballeur said: "It may seem harsh but the people we have been visiting today have been given plenty of opportunities to pay.

"Help is available for them if they get behind with their payments or their financial circumstances change.

"Now we are saying there are no excuses."

He added: "If a fine is not paid or compensation collected then justice has not been served. Victims owed compensation do not get the money until the offender pays."

He said offenders in Dorset owed about £90,000 in compensation alone.

PC Geoff Calloway and Mr Leballeur went to North Square, Dorchester, to the home of a woman in her early twenties who owes the court £200 after being convicted for assault.

Mr Leballeur said: "After much knocking someone eventually answered the door.

"The woman had had a falling out with her mother and moved to Devon.

"I explained to her mother that the woman must get in contact with us or we will come knocking again."

At another address in Fenway Close, the pair were greeted by an abusive householder.

After calming him down, it emerged that the 33-year-old man being sought for non-payment of fines for road traffic offences no longer lives at the address.

At a flat in Broadwey Close, Weymouth, a 39-year-old man fined for assault was arrested.

Mr Leballeur said: "We have no problems placing defendants into custody, however anyone who cannot pay or has good reasons as to why they are not paying should contact 01305 831351."