MPs urge crackdown on bullying bailiffs

Labour MP Emma Reynolds called on the Government to make it easier to challenge rogue bailiffs, saying new legislation was needed to limit the impact of their behaviour on vulnerable people.

She is among a number of MPs who want a new system so that bailiffs who break the law can be banned and prosecuted.

It comes after a new report found few people made formal complaints against debt collectors – despite huge numbers claiming that rules had been broken.

Research by Citizens Advice found that of 2.2 million people visited by bailiffs in the past two years, 850,000 had experienced rule breaking.

But the report said that just over a quarter (28 per cent) of them had made a complaint, with the current statutory process of going through the courts seen as being costly and "highly inaccessible".

The Government introduced new regulations for bailiffs in 2014, but the report says that these have failed because they have not been properly enforced.

Just 56 people have complained through the court system since it was introduced.

Chairing a Westminster Hall debate on the issue yesterday, Wolverhampton North East MP Ms Reynolds called for an independent regulator for the industry brought in, as well as a clear and simple to use complaints system.

She also wants training for bailiffs on how to deal with the public in an appropriate manner.

"Short of taking the bailiff to court there is no meaningful way for people to seek redress," she said.

Ms Reynolds added: "Like other MPs, I am becoming concerned that bailiffs are becoming a law unto themselves.

"Local authorities and others must have a way to recover debt, but this can't be done in an aggressive, intimidating and humiliating way.

"We have heard so many stories of bailiffs forcing entry into people's homes and seizing their possessions in a way that breaks the rules."

The MP, who has applied for a 10-minute rule bill in a bid to bring in new legislation over debt collectors, said there were "countless examples" of poor practice from bailiffs that had resulted in people suffering "traumatic" experiences.

She cited a number of instances in her constituency, including a debt collector marching a 73-year-old woman to the Post Office to withdraw £550 to pay off a debt that was not even hers.

Another saw a disabled woman fearing she was being burgled when debt collectors forced their way into her home without showing ID and took cash from her purse.

Ms Reynolds said the consequences of such behaviour included plunging people deeper into debt and leaving them suffering from anxiety and depression.

"This could happen to anybody, although in many cases vulnerable people are involved," Ms Reynolds said. "It often starts with a small fine or debt which then escalates and can spiral out of control."

The MP also argued that it was incumbent on local councils to seek a way to collect debts in a "contructive manner and help people to pay money back without threatening them with bailiffs".

The debate saw cross party support for Ms Reynolds' proposals.

Labour MP Rachel Reeves said: "Self-regulation has failed. We need an independent bailiff regulator capable of banning and prosecuting bailiffs who break the law."

Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy said: "Bailiffs are getting away with breaking rules designed to protect those who're struggling.

"The complaints process is complicated and frustrating. People lack faith in a system where you're required to complain to the bailiff's firm in the first instance.

"Bad practice by bailiffs is widespread and causes stress, anxiety and further financial harm. The Government has said it wants to end this for good and to do so, it must bring rule-breaking bailiffs into line by establishing an independent regulator.

"Alongside this, the Ministry of Justice should introduce an independent complaints process. It's important complaints are reviewed independently of the bailiff industry and outside the court system."

Next week the Justice Committee is due to hear evidence as part of its inquiry into the enforcement of debt by bailiffs.