CRIMINALS who fail to turn up to court in Warrington have been warned they face having their doors put through by armed police.

Cheshire Police launched a crackdown over the last week on offenders guilty of a no-show at court.

A raft of warrants were carried out, some in the early hours of the morning, as a ‘shock tactic’.

Sup Int Peter Crowcroft, Cheshire Police′s head of criminal justice and custody, headed Operation CleanSweep.

He said: “We get these people that are flicking their nose to police by not turning up to court.

“They think the courts aren’t going to do anything about it, and are brazenly walking along Bridge Street on a Saturday night.

“Actually, you could get armed police going through your door at 2am, or a police helicopter out looking for you.

“We are putting these doors through when people are getting in from a night out.

“Instead of sleeping off the hangover in bed, you’re waking up in a police cell.”

The operation also focused on suspects wanted as part of ongoing investigations, and criminals listed as wanted on the Police National Computer, a database used by police.

It saw 63 arrests in Warrington and Halton, and 179 across the county.

The youngest and oldest people arrested were in Warrington, where a 15-year-old girl was arrested in connection to an assault.

And a 64-year-old man was arrested over allegations of sexual assault. Both arrests were made as part of ongoing investigations.

And Sup Int Crowcroft also warned friends and family who harbour people police are looking for.

He added: “If we are looking for people and we find out you are hiding them, you could be facing some jail time as well.

“We will use all of our resources, from senior officers, to CSOs.

“It shows that police are serious, and we are coming for you.”