Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

[SpringerSpaniel]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...n-8219108.html

[labman]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

Thank you The Independent, but please tell us something we didn't know.

"In one instance a pregnant woman had her door kicked in. She claims to have been struck on the leg and hip over an unpaid £58 debt."

I'm the very last to defend bailiffs, but this instance is exceedingly rare, so anyone with CT arrears reading this, please don't think this is likely to happen to you.

"The charity's chief executive, Gillian Guy, said proper sanctions must be imposed to end unscrupulous practices before the impact of next year's benefit cuts are felt."

I wonder how scupulous Ms Guy's own practices are at times? Surely this couldn't be the pot calling the kettle black?

There is also a more sinister side to all of this. Yes, the councils can sink pretty low in their collection practices. Allowing outsourcing to companies such as Capita does not help. However, I guess the 'proper sanctions' would be taken by the Government. Now ask yourself,who is putting the councils under huge pressure to meet targets for collecting Council Tax arrears?

Possibly somewhere therein lies part of the answer?

[wales01man]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

What does anyone expect we have all read on here how these thugs behave maybe in time unfortunately someone may get killed as a result of their illegal actions the wnen the do do hits the fan we will see the councils who endorse and it seems actively condone their thug bailiffs squim its a sad ib dictment in 21st century Britain that this is allowed

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

bumped

[bluebottle]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

Someone has already been seriously injured by a thug employed by Marston Group who got it badly wrong. Marston Group couldn't give a ****. HMCTS are not happy bunnies with Marstons.

[labman]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

HMCTS are not happy bunnies with Marstons.

But will they do anything about them? :flypig::flypig::flypig::flypig::flypig:

[bluebottle]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

But will they do anything about them? :flypig::flypig::flypig::flypig::flypig:

If peeps let Area HMCTS Enforcement Mangers know what is going on, then, yes. I have recently spoken to an Area HMCTS Enforcement Manager directly about the actions of Marstons bailiffs and he was very concerned, especially as an innocent person was seriously-injured. He was quite surprised when I told him just how aggressive, rude and unco-operative Marstons are when you try to report such incidents to them directly. Quite frankly, Marstons don't give a **** so long as they are getting money from the taxpayer. Their contract is coming up for renewal in the next 12 months and I feel we should ramp up the pressure on HMCTS to "persuade" them not to renew Marstons' contract. I understand that Marstons' senior management are desperate to renew the contract.

[labman]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

As you will know I'd be delighted if Marstons lost the contract. However I would be very surprised if the Court Manager was genuinely surprised at the behaviour of Marstons. They must have had reports of and read about plenty of incidents regarding Marstons and other bailiff companies. They're not that naive.

[bluebottle]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

HMCTS Court Managers are responsible for the management of what goes on in court buildings. HMCTS Enforcement Managers are responsible for the management of HMCTS Warrant Officers, Court Bailiffs and Certificated Bailiffs, under contract to HMCTS, within a given area and may be responsible for enforcement at more than one court.

Although HMCTS Court Managers might well be aware of incidents involving Marston Group bailiffs, they are not the person to whom reports of adverse conduct should be directed. Such reports should be directed to the HMCTS Enforcement Manager. These then get passed on to HMCTS Regional Contract Managers who pursue the incidents with Marston Group.

[labman]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

I know, but I still don't think they'd be surprised.

[SpringerSpaniel]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

Have the innocent parties made pesonal injury claims ? Even if the injured persons owe money or have committed offences, it is still a criminal assault if they are injured by those acting for or on behalf of HMCTS.

[bluebottle]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

The victim in the incident that happened near to where I live was completely innocent. DVLA had made an almighty blunder, as was subsequently established when HMCTS Thames Valley looked into it. Unfortunately, the victim was so terrified of the Marstons' thug who attacked her coming back, having another go at her and clearing her house of her property, she has moved to another part of the UK. I do not know if she is going to initiate a personal injury claim against Marston Group. However, the police now have the thug's details and are waiting for him to behave like a muppet once more before doing something about it. Let's hope he does so in a large town or city where the police officers are more pro-active.

[labman]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

It incenses me that after doing something so appalling, this person can still keep on doing their job while the poor victim has had to move from the area. Do the police not follow up in any way? I know they routinely offer victim support, so I don't know if anything would be achieved through this.

[bluebottle]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

It incenses me that after doing something so appalling, this person can still keep on doing their job while the poor victim has had to move from the area. Do the police not follow up in any way? I know they routinely offer victim support, so I don't know if anything would be achieved through this.

Unfortunately, the reality is that unless the victim is prepared to follow the matter up by making a Statement of Complaint, the hands of the police are tied legally. There is nothing they can do. However, if the Marstons' thug does this to someone else, the police can use the incident as evidence that he has a history of such behaviour and this can be very persuasive in opposing bail or when sentencing as it can be taken into consideration (TIC).

[labman]

Re: Councils criticised for use of Rogue Bailiffs

Frustrating isn't it!