LOOK out, the sheriff is in town.
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Ballarat police and the Victorian Sheriff’s Office are joining forces this week to crack down on unpaid fines in Ballarat.
The message is clear – pay your outstanding fines or risk spending Christmas behind bars.
Sheriff’s Office Grampians supervisor Andrew Nelson said there was a case last year where somebody with a large amount of unpaid fines was arrested on Christmas Eve.
Several cars are also expected to have wheel clamps placed on them.
“We would rather get the money than lock people up, that’s why we’re encouraging people to pay their fines,” Mr Nelson said.
To make it easier for people to pay their fines, sheriff officers will be temporarily based at the Ballarat Police Station on Thursday and Friday this week.
Those with outstanding fines will be urged to come forward and cough up before it is too late.
Acting Sergeant David Strachan said it was the first time the operation had come to Ballarat, having previously been a success in Melton.
He said people often put off paying their fines amid fears they could not afford large one-off payments.
“It’s better to come in and get on a payment plan than wait for us to come to you when the fines build,” Acting Sergeant Strachan said.
Sheriff officers will be at the station between 12.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, and 7.30am and 2.30pm on Friday.