Technology which allows cars owned by people evading paying court fines to be clamped or seized is now being used on the streets, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“If you haven’t paid your court fines, you may soon find yourself walking home or needing a lift,” he said.
Bailiffs are now trialling handheld devices that scan the number plates of parked cars and determine whether the owners have overdue court fines or reparations.
“If they do, the car may be clamped or towed away. It’s that simple,” Goldsmith said.
“We promised to find new effective ways to force people to pay their court fines. That’s exactly what we’re delivering. We know wheel clamping is already a successful enforcement tool and we want to build on that.”
Handheld devices scan the number plates of parked cars and determine whether the owners have overdue fines or reparations. (Source: 1News)
Goldsmith said those who had suffered emotional harm or had had their property lost or damaged by an offender’s actions should not be left out of pocket.
“Victims are our priority, and their needs underpin all our work to restore law and order, which we know is working.”
He added there had been a “longstanding slackness” when it came to bringing in fines.
“I’ve given very strong instructions to the Ministry of Justice to find ways to collect them.”
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including Hulk Hogan dies, sentencing for a New Zealander who assaulted two airline stewards, and a big accolade for Te Papa. (Source: 1News)
The technology will first be trialled throughout streets nationwide and will be present at some breath testing stations this weekend alongside police.