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BIRMINGHAM council bosses have launched a probe into bailiffs who have been branded “bullies”.
And staff working for a firm used by the authority itself to chase Council Tax debtors has already been branded “mercenary” as part of the probe.
Coun Graham Green (Con, Oscott) told a council watchdog committee: “The firm we use, Equita, some of their operators are quite mercenary. They charge to visit, then charge for a letter.”
The firm defended its activities, saying there would always be complaints in situations of potential conflict.
Coun Green told the committee he had evidence that bailiffs did not stick to a code of conduct, including visiting houses after 9pm, delivering letters without knocking so they could escalate debt collections and, on occasion, abusing the public.
BIRMINGHAM council bosses have launched a probe into bailiffs who have been branded “bullies”.
And staff working for a firm used by the authority itself to chase Council Tax debtors has already been branded “mercenary” as part of the probe.
Coun Graham Green (Con, Oscott) told a council watchdog committee: “The firm we use, Equita, some of their operators are quite mercenary. They charge to visit, then charge for a letter.”
The firm defended its activities, saying there would always be complaints in situations of potential conflict.
Coun Green told the committee he had evidence that bailiffs did not stick to a code of conduct, including visiting houses after 9pm, delivering letters without knocking so they could escalate debt collections and, on occasion, abusing the public.
