Katrine Bussey Fine dodgers have been warned they are "running out of chances" after it was announced tracing technology is to be used to track down those who do not pay.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill spoke out as the Scottish Court Service (SCS) announced it would be targeting persistent defaulters.

The tracing technology should give greater access to personal information about fine defaulters, with details about addresses, employment and benefits being used to help track them down.

In addition, sheriffs' officers will be used to target those persistent defaulters who ignore payment demands.

The SCS will also work closely with the UK Department for Work and Pensions to speed up benefit deductions from fine dodgers.

Mr MacAskill, who visited the service's Glasgow fine enforcement team, said: "Non-payment is unacceptable and the SCS is right to target those who have ignored warnings to date.

"Fine dodgers should be clear that they're running out of chances and now face a range of sanctions to ensure they pay their debt to society."

Fine enforcement officers were brought in just over a year ago to collect fines - including court, fiscal and police penalties - in a bid to reduce the burden on police and courts.

The officers can help and advise those who are genuinely struggling to make payments, but when people deliberately refuse to pay they have powers to dock wages, freeze bank accounts or request that a court orders deductions from benefits.

They can also seize vehicles that may, by the order of court, be sold, or send the case to court if none of these options work.

Mr MacAskill said such officers were a "key part of the summary justice reforms that are freeing police to keep our streets safe and enabling the courts to focus proceedings on serious criminal cases".

He added: "As the new measures take effect, I expect to see payment rates improve further over the next year."

Eric McQueen, director of field services at the SCS, said "overall, fine collection rates are higher than ever".

But added: "We can continue to improve collection rates and the new tracing facilities will identify addresses, employment and benefits details."