Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!

Soldato
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I think you're being a bit pedantic about it. It's hardly like it has blue and yellow chequered patterns down the side, or a blue light on top, or even "POLICE" written anywhere over it.

I've seen quite a few episodes with that van, and i'd not even noticed this "shield/badge" thing you refer to.

It's designed to make you think they are of some authority, especially to the folk who aren't clued up.

I've seen quite a few episodes with that van, and i'd not even noticed this "shield/badge" thing you refer to.

Then you haven't seen the same van then.
 
Soldato
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The van with the police shield on the bonnet was on last night when they visited a chap who ran a security firm who was being taken to the cleaners by his ex wife. Look closely.
 
Associate
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It's designed to make you think they are of some authority, especially to the folk who aren't clued up.

High Court Enforcement Officers are of some authority

From https://www.hceoa.org.uk/regulatory-information

High Court Enforcement Officers are men and women who are authorised personally by the Lord Chancellor or his designated person pursuant to paragraph 2 (1) of Schedule 7 of the Courts Act 2003 and Regulation 6 of the High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004 to execute judgments and orders of the High and County Court of England and Wales.
 
Soldato
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The van with the police shield on the bonnet was on last night when they visited a chap who ran a security firm who was being taken to the cleaners by his ex wife. Look closely.

I don't see why that matters, they are agents of the court, they act very fairly... any issues of fairness should be directed at the court...

I mean technically they are more justified than the police in their actions, when you are arrested NOTHING (usually) has been proven... when the bailiffs arrive its already been to court
 
Soldato
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The fact is you don't have to allow them into your property (unless it's a eviction) and you can blankly refuse to deal with them on your doorstep.

The police can arrest you and if they come with a warrant they'll be coming in.

Difference.
 
Man of Honour
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The fact is you don't have to allow them into your property (unless it's a eviction) and you can blankly refuse to deal with them on your doorstep.

So you refuse to let them in, you can also refuse the Police but how many people know that? If you let either in it is your own fault however the Bailiff will just ring the Police who will then tell you they have every right to do so because the Court have signed the paper.

So basically if you see a Bailiff and think it's a Policeman and let them in, it is still your own fault.

I can't see what point you are making:confused:
 
Soldato
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So you refuse to let them in, you can also refuse the Police but how many people know that? If you let either in it is your own fault however the Bailiff will just ring the Police who will then tell you they have every right to do so because the Court have signed the paper.

So basically if you see a Bailiff and think it's a Policeman and let them in, it is still your own fault.

I can't see what point you are making:confused:

I said police with a warrant to search your property, not just police knocking on your door for a chat.

Also debt is a civil matter so how can the bailiff call the police to be allowed into your property? Bailiff got no right to break in through a locked door or window.
 
Man of Honour
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I said police with a warrant to search your property, not just police knocking on your door for a chat.

I know what you said, I just don't see what point you are trying to make.

Bailiff turns up (looking like a Policeman), you say no
Policeman turns up, you say no.

Bailiff turns up (looking like a Policeman) with a court order, you say no
Policeman turns up with a warrant, you say no.

Bailiff (looking like a Policeman) rings the Policeman who confirms he has the right to enter your property.
Policeman with warrant just enters property while breaking your face.
 
Caporegime
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Bailiff (looking like a Policeman) rings the Policeman who confirms he has the right to enter your property.
Policeman with warrant just enters property while breaking your face.

Well not quite, a bailiff with a court order doesn't have the right to enter your property unless it's an eviction, you can still refuse them.
 
Soldato
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Bit of a late reply. In most cases on the program the police are called to keep the peace as normally the debtor kicks off in one way or another.

But yes you could blankly refuse to deal with the HCEO's, assuming you have no valuable property outside, and ensure that your back/side doors are locked - they're allowed to enter property, just not break in (that's certainly given a few of them surprises on the program when all of a sudden one of them is now in the back room of the house).

At the end of the day though, these are adults on the program, you've got yourself into this mess, so it's down to you to be mature enough to deal with it. Hiding from the HCEO's doesn't resolve the situation.

I think what a lot of debtors dislike - and isn't frequently or very well explained to them. Is that the payment doesn't go direct to the claimant. So the debtor still has a chance to go to court to resolve the issue, or put a hold on the debt. Most seem to know they don't have a chance and don't end up bother disputing the debt anyway.
 
Soldato
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Can't Pay We'll Take It Away is nothing but poverty porn which Channel 5 love. There's not a week goes by where they are not showing a rehashed "Life on the Dole" type programme. All they show are cases where the debtor gets difficult/angry etc as it makes great entertainment viewing.

The BBC morning programme The Sheriffs Are Coming is a more realistic approach to the subject. They also show failed attempts and actually explain the process on the programme and like what Semple above says, they explain that the claimant doesn't get the money straight away.
 
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R3X

R3X

Soldato
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But they dont look like coppers, only to you. Because you must have a problem with bailiffs or something?

Yeah I am ok with that fact that I am the only one that sees them appearing like coppers.

Obviously I can read HCEO or company logos, and see, read they are not the actual police, its the appearance at first glance I don't like and reckon it should be illegal.

In my opinion we are also making assumptions people in UK can all read or understand English, have good eye sight or have glasses on or have our thinking caps on during a sudden panic moment.

Lee explained my point better anyhow and am glad I am not the only one to see it.

To give you a better idea of why I reckon its wrong to appear to be something you are not, a few years ago fraudsters dressed like police officers and simply knocked on homes and said they were conducting an raid and barged right through and took any money or jewellery and out in minutes.

To me the appearance of something you are not is fraudulent and deceptive.

If bailiffs wanted to they could wear a black body armour over a blue shirt, so ask yourself why they are not doing that?

They won't resemble a certain Authority.


It's designed to make you think they are of some authority, especially to the folk who aren't clued up.

Thank you, this was my point I was attempting to put across.
 

R3X

R3X

Soldato
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Well not quite, a bailiff with a court order doesn't have the right to enter your property unless it's an eviction, you can still refuse them.

But the Coppers turn up and tell the Debtors the Bailiffs have every right!

But yes you could blankly refuse to deal with the HCEO's, assuming you have no valuable property outside, and ensure that your back/side doors are locked - they're allowed to enter property, just not break in (that's certainly given a few of them surprises on the program when all of a sudden one of them is now in the back room of the house).


This same point needs bit more clarification, even myself and family are confused about this point.

Should it not read if the bailiff has a court order and the property has accessible points like front,side,back door is unlocked they can still enter at free will ?

With a eviction order on the court order they can of course break the door down or remove the lock to gain full access to the property.

It appears this is the most confusing aspect of bailiffs or User rights, maybe since we are just enjoying the poverty porn too much.
 
Caporegime
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If they have a court order they can enter property by peaceful means and by a normal mode of entry, ie an unlocked door, not an open window. Just like any other normal citizen really. Except that when they enter the property they can refuse to leave.
 
Soldato
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It appears this is the most confusing aspect of bailiffs or User rights.

Yep you're right, a lot of them don't realise that when they've gained peaceful entry to your property, they now have a legal right to remain, infact i suspect it would then be illegal to leave as it would mean that they're not carrying out the high court writ of which they have a legal duty to carry out.

They then threaten to call the police (some actually do) in an attempt to get them out of the property.
 

R3X

R3X

Soldato
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Yup complete backfire though they call the police as if the bailiff is an intruder robbing them at their work or home, accept the police turn round and say they have to do their job and if they don't allow it they will get arrested.

Last weeks episode showed that young girl speaking to the bailiffs from her top window and simply ignored them when they asked her to come down and open the door, she then sneaked outside into her own car and blocked them from removing the car in the front drive which they clamped and she started to film them, very smart and on the ball.

Its a doggy dog world where its always the other persons fault< this will go on my gravestone.
 
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