CRIMINALS who haven't paid their fines were today targeted as part of a police drive to place a 'ring of steel' around Lancashire.

Officers set up road-checks at key points on Lancashire's road network, including Ewood in Blackburn, and used Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology as part of the operation, codenamed 'Glaser'.

The special equipment works by scanning passing vehicle registrations and checking them against information stored in a variety of databases.

As well as helping police identify stolen cars, the operation was set up to help court officials catch fine defaulters.

Police said anyone caught would be arrested and put before court as the first available date.

The operation is part of Project Laser which was set up by the police in partnership with the Lancashire Magistrates' Courts Service.

Anthony Egerton, chief executive of the Lancashire Magistrates' Courts Service, said: "Effective enforcement of fines and compensation orders is an essential part of promoting public confidence in our justice system.

"The close co-operation which has been achieved between the Lancashire Constabulary and the Lancashire Magistrates' Courts Service for joint operations like this is one example of a number of joined-up approaches."