PEOPLE who fail to attend court hearings for serious criminal offences in Avon and Somerset could find their picture featured on the 'wanted' gallery of the police force's website.

Police are planning to publish the pictures of those who fail to attend either magistrates or crown court for burglary, robbery and assault charges on both the force's website and in newspapers.

It is hoped the initiative will help find the handful of people who dodge court and bring them before the justice system.

Chief constable Steve Pilkington said: "Out of the thousands of people arrested and charged with serious criminal offences each year in Avon and Somerset, a significant handful of people avoid the legal process by failing to turn up at either magistrates or crown court. We take this offence as seriously as the original crime the person was charged with, and employ a variety of tactics to bring them to justice.

"Apart from wasting taxpayers money, it frustrates witnesses, prolongs the distress for victims and undermines the criminal justice system. We need to bring these bail bandits to book. Posting their pictures on the wanted section of the website and in the media is a new idea which needs the support of our communities to be successful."

Mr Pilkington added: "We want friends, relatives or the community to let us know where they are and why they failed to appear at court. Those people featured may also choose to give themselves up."

The launch of the initiative will be launched on Thursday, June 10 to give people likely to be featured two weeks to come forward.

Mr Pilkington said: "We're giving this group of people two weeks to get in touch. If they don't they can expect to see their picture on TV, in newspapers and on the worldwide web.

"Our site has over 160,000 visitors every month. With that level of exposure we are confident they will be found. The message is simple - skipping court is not an option.

"We have a duty to see people are brought to justice and we will use whatever tactic is available to us to achieve this."