Poll register dodgers fined

RESIDENTS in North Yorkshire have been prosecuted for failing to provide information for the Electoral Register during the annual canvass.

By The Newsroom

Published 17th Jun 2011, 10:09 BST

Scarborough Council revealed yesterday that Tracey Atkinson had been fined £100 plus costs of £120 and a victim surcharge of £15, giving a total of £235.

Emma Davies, Anna Hnatyk, Phillip Holdsworth, Jerzy Niemyski, Sandy Noble and Pauline Smith were also fined £100 plus costs of £120 and victim surcharge of £15 – total £235 each. The prosecutions amounted to total fines and costs of £2,245 awarded to the council.

The council team leader for electoral regulation, Sue Bedford, said: “The council has to carry out an annual canvass each year and it is a legal requirement for residents to provide the information requested.

“We take the matter very seriously and will take action in court against those who fail to do so. Hopefully these prosecutions will serve as a warning to others in the future.”