Courts in Staffordshire have discovered SMS reminders to pay fines are more effective than letters.

E-Government Bulletin reports today that some 75 per cent of 150 offenders texted in Staffordshire paid up on receipt of the warnings. By contrast, only 40 per cent of offenders respond to letters. The scheme is part of the Operation Payback 3, and used SMS text messaging to remind offenders to pay magistrate court fines. The texts read: ‘Operation Payback - pay up or get locked up. Contact this number now’ followed by the court’s phone number.

The North West London Area Enforcement Office is to begin using a similar system later this month and the scheme may be rolled out to other areas of the UK. You have been warned.