Valentine's cards snag offenders

The cards included a typical "roses are red" poem

Dozens of bail-dodgers have been traced by police through officers sending Valentine's cards and letters.

West Mercia Police said 193 people were located in a three-week operation and 34% of those who handed themselves in did so after receiving a card.

More than 60 people have since appeared in court, a spokesman said.

Officers worked with the Central Motorway Police Group and the Court Service to identify, locate, remind and arrest offenders.

"Our message to anyone who is dodging bail or failing to pay a fine is do the right thing and surrender to police or the courts as soon as possible," the spokesman added.

"People who fail to turn up at court will become subject of a court warrant and this means when they are traced they will face an extra criminal charge.

"This could ultimately lead to extra punishment from the courts."