Letter for attending police officers!

[swifty]

Thanks to you guys I have resolved most my debt problems , but still like to keep track on what's going on.
I have been reading through a few posts for the past couple of days and have noticed that the police have been called on to help assist the bailiffs/debtor, it seems that the police are siding with the bailiff on all occasions.
It seems that the attending officers do not understand the law regarding bailiffs and end up backing them up, is there anyway we can level the playing field on this?
Is there a letter stating rules and regulations that the bailiffs have to adhere to or a document reminding the attending officer points of law that can be handed to them on arrival.

It may help folk who are having problems in the future..

Just a thought!

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

maybe giving them this forums link will help hun

[Bill-K]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

Basically, I think you're suggesting we need to be able to quickly print out an "idiot sheet" for both bailiffs and coppers that uses words of one syllable and lots of pictures. Seriously, though, a brief and easily-read summary of the law governing bailiff visits - which can be handed to all attending, and which can be read (and understood - hopefully) within a few minutes. I think that's an excellent suggestion, myself, Swifty.

And, yes, as Puff suggests - it needs a link to LB along with all the kisses on the bottom !!!

Bailiffs rely on fear and panic, and the Police only seem to exacerbate matters, so perhaps - stage 2 - a quick reference guide for the householder as to what to do in different scenarios, so that they can react quickly but appropriately and lawfully. I'm not much good at this area, but I'd be happy to lend a hand to trying to get an easily-read and concise version of this created.

Bluebottle and Happy Contrails spring to mind as the legal authorities here on these matters, but there are others, too, I'm sure.

[swifty]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

If (and I know it's a big if) you know the bailiff's are on their way then something along these lines would be helpful, it could be printed off and placed in a poly pocket or something similar near the front door.
As for using just one syllable words I can see that working quite well, printed in red comic sans "f#@k off" thyat should just about do it:lol:
If you let the bailiff look this website on your laptop in the front garden chances are all they're gonna see is an item to put down for seizure

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

Im not condoning pinching things off other peoples websites but..

pinch this off someone elses website and put it on a laminated sheet.

http://www.bailiff-mediation.com/wp/...-of-a-bailiff/

[Bill-K]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

If you let the bailiff look this website on your laptop in the front garden chances are all they're gonna see is an item to put down for seizure

LOL - You named that tune in one, Swifty !!!
But - yeah - A big bold Comic Sans font might help. If we can still get online before they seize our laptop, then it sure seems worth printing that stuff out beforehand, for the price of a few ml's of printer ink and a few sheets of Tesco's finest A4 paper.
I'm all for getting this formulated, if we can get the rest of the band on board !!! :cool2:

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

Thanks to you guys I have resolved most my debt problems , but still like to keep track on what's going on.
I have been reading through a few posts for the past couple of days and have noticed that the police have been called on to help assist the bailiffs/debtor, it seems that the police are siding with the bailiff on all occasions.
It seems that the attending officers do not understand the law regarding bailiffs and end up backing them up, is there anyway we can level the playing field on this?
Is there a letter stating rules and regulations that the bailiffs have to adhere to or a document reminding the attending officer points of law that can be handed to them on arrival.

It may help folk who are having problems in the future..

Just a thought!

Hi Swifty,

Yeah. What you advocate is an excellent idea and worthy of further investigation. I am currently carrying out a number of enquiries in connection with the excesses and abuses of the civil enforcement industry and it appears you, I and many others on LB think along similar lines. Something has to be done to curb the excesses and abuses of civil enforcement companies and their employees. One idea I have is that there should be dedicated teams of police officers to deal with bailiff crime. This would be better than training all police officers, due to the fact that certificated bailiffs operate under so many pieces of legislation.

[Bill-K]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

...dedicated teams of police officers to deal with bailiff crime. This would be better than training all police officers...

I agree - horses for courses. We don't need traffic cops dealing with severely-depressed single parents any more than severely-depressed traffic cops want to deal with them.

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

I agree - horses for courses. We don't need traffic cops dealing with severely-depressed single parents any more than severely-depressed traffic cops want to deal with them.

If my gut-feeling is right, Bill, and they usually are, it would only take a few certificated bailiffs to be busted for word to get about that the police were playing hardball.

[swifty]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

But with the cutbacks the police force have to make (cheers MP's for that) it'll be highly unlikely for each individual police force to have a dedicated officer to deal with bailiff's.
If however the local councils ask for an extra one or two pounds a year off the council tax payer to have an officer to deal with dodgy bailiffs then I for one will happily pay :rockon:

Thanks for the link Puffrose, it's a start
Bailiffs misrepresenting their powers of entry

FACT: Bailiffs have no power to force initial entry or break open an outer door if it is either locked or bolted.There are reports of problems with bailiffs misrepresenting their powers of entry, falsely claiming that they can force entry or have a warrant that allows them to force entry or that they will return with the police who will force entry on their behalf.

• Bailiffs must enter a property peacefully through an unlocked door or through an open window.
• They may not enter through a closed window, even if it is not locked.
• They cannot obtain a court order to gain entry and the police have no power to force entry on their behalf. Bailiffs can only force entry if they have previously gained peaceful entry.

Note that Section 27 and Schedule 4A of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 have allowed bailiffs to force entry in connection with unpaid magistrates’ courts fines. The Citizens Advice Bureau has reported that some bailiffs’ firms have claimed that this power extends to other debts, including council tax arrears. This is not the case.If the bailiff is attempting to force entry or has entered your property make note of the time and date and ensure you have copies all the paperwork so that we have evidence to present to the head offfice.

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

yw, i will keep digging for more

[Bill-K]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

I guess we need to get the smell of blood into the nostrils of the combatants. It's already there for the bailiffs and their quarry. Maybe Swifty's proposal will galvanize the plodsters into action. It's a shame that blood has to be shed before justice is served, though. Such is life, eh ?

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

Someone has already died as the result of the actions of certificated scrotes. There must be a requirement for ALL certificated bailiffs to pass an Enhanced CRB check with the emphasis on preventing those with a history of violence or dishonesty becoming bailiffs. What should be done is that existing certificated bailiffs who have convictions for dishonesty and/or violence, even if spent, should be given 30 days to surrender their certificate or risk arrest thereafter.

[Bill-K]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

Much as I despair of BB's suggestion being adopted, it does concern me that cabbies have to undergo an 'Enhanced Disclosure,' whereas it seems that bailiffs merely have to do a 'join the dots' fun test. I would dearly love to see some of those creeps trying to defend themselves on a club night - perhaps at the mercy of those whom they seek to persecute at 0400 on a Monday morning.

[dogtired]

Re: Letter for attending police officers!

Like you Bill, as a nurse/care worker I have to do an enhanced CRB every time I apply for a job. It does not seem right to me that Bailiffs dont.
Been "lucky" so far all I have had at the door is muppet from Welcome finance and I sent him away with a flea in his ear!:tinysmile_aha_t: