Ahh ! Pretty obvious really. I should have worked that out for myself ! I can see a similar situation arising here too - when people start standing up for their rights and refuse to be intimidated.

Thanks Martin - I wonder if he had been having bailiff problems too (lol) ?

Thanks for this Scarlet Pimpernel ... but we did conduct a campaign with MPs when the new Bill was being drafted, and despite some strong support (eg Austin Mitchell, whose own daughter had just had a bailiff experience !!!) the government whips managed to slap everybody down and force through their legislation. I agree that contacting MPs may be a good idea at a later stages (as Chief Constables don't like getting negative publicity) but feel that actually finding what Chief Constables actually think / believe is essential BEFORE complaining about them ! Can you enlighten me as to the situation in N Ireland - re no bailiffs?

If they just read the advice issued by Devon & Cornwall police they would be a little enlightened ! Remind me, who was it that said "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing"?

Personally, I think we should collate the information first - and then go higher, when we actually have evidence that the law is ignorred or interpretted differently in differing Counties?

Which surely just confirms that ANYTHING we do to make the police / public MORE AWARE of the issues is a benefit to all (except illegal bailiffs) ? btw tomtubby - Which County did this happen in? Perhaps we should use this example at the start of the letter - to show that through ignorrance (and bad advice from a senior officer) 2 police men actually assisted 2 con men (for that is what anyone claiming to be representing a Court who is uncertificated) to commit a crime?

The Government have been able to "force through" the new law - mainly because most people were totally unaware of the Bill and its implications. When we collate all the information - and show the different standards being used in different Counties - the media could "jump on this" and generate an awful lot of publicity for us? Remember how much publicity healthcare has had from the "postcode" lottery type publicity? Image a story which says (for example) that if you live in Devon your rights will be protected by the police - but if you live in (say) the West Midlands the police will assist an unauthorised person with a break-in at YOUR house ! Can you imagine the impact on the bailiff industry IF they knew that the police WOULD ALWAYS check their status?

I'm of the opinion that Chief Constables (responsibile to their local community / Police Authority) will take far more notice of a local request / enquiry - rather than one coming from another area.

Please read the advice given by Devon and Cornwall police to their officers. We live in ONE Country - with ONE law ... if one Constabulary can take its duty seriously then surely so can they all? If a policeman helps a bailiff who doesn't have legal rights - they he could be assisting with committing a crime - it's as simple as that ! A bailiff who doesn't have a legal right - is no different to a thief or a burglar !

The new company is a separate legal entity ... the bailiffs have absolutely no claim against it as far as I can see. If they return call the police.

As Chris said, its when people try and "add" extra interpretation that the problems arise. People accept someone else's interpretation (or understanding) as if it were the word of God. The extra "dogma" "rites" etc are all superfluous.

Agreed, Chris. As I said in my post to Lula (above) its the CORE values that matter - not someone else's interpretation of them. If we stuck to the core values - the world would be a better place? No ?

Thank you. Well, I'm white but descended from the Vikings, and certainly NOT Protestant !

Hi Lula Not if you follow the core teachings - after all, there were ONLY 10 commandments ! It's when you try and interpret every single statement as the word of God that you get confused. Forgive me if I'm starting to sound like a religious "nut" - I'm not, far from it - just pointing out that core Christian beliefs are (imho) a good thing - and the world would be a better place if we followed them.

Barracad I (being a mere mortal) am not qualified to answer such detailed questions ... I suggest you consult your religious advisor ! I'm merely pointing out that to be a Christian MEANS following the teachings / examples of Christ (and many of us fail - but am sure we are awarded points as we have tried). Do you think Christ would have been a bailiff (even part-time) ? I doubt it. Remind me again (as you are obviously much better at Biblical quotes than I am) - who was it that Christ threw out of the Temple? Wasn't it the money-lenders (and presumably that would also include ancillary professions such as debt collectors / bailiffs)?

WASP ??? I take on board what you say (and was largely refering to the people who run bailiff firms rather than individual employees), but stand my ground. The fact that many people (who would claim to be Christian) do not follow entirely a Christian doctrine does not mean that the doctrine itself is wrong ! Let me give another (different) example. Many people believe that it is wrong to inflict cruelty on animals. If an animal has to be slaughtered it should be done in the most humane way possible. Other believe that animals should have their throats cut and be left to bleed to death - clearly a (barbaric?) slow and cruel death. Should we abandon OUR principles in order not to upset those who believe otherwise? Or should we stand our ground and point out that we believe others are doing wrong? *By their deeds, shall ye know them*

We should start by asking if they have any specific bailiff policy (to see where they initially stand) and point to the Devon & Cornwall police policy document, to show that some forces are taking the matter seriously. We should try and find out how their current policies differ, as when the information is collated it could make a very good press release (for the media) to show the vastly different attitudes in different areas (and any publicity will be good for the cause generally).

In a word - Yes. Pay online and by-pass the bailiffs. The Council CANNOT refuse to accept your payments (unless they want to cancel the debt?). Once the Council has been paid, the Liability Order is at an end.

I could do a few more ... but feel we should have as many people as possible involved, after all, a Chief Constable from (say) Essex will take far more notice of someone from Essex that he will from someone at the other end of the Country !

I'll do adjoining areas - South Yorkshire / Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire.

Generally speaking, everyone agrees that bailiff law is out-dated and needs modification. Most of the existing "law" is over 1000 years old and based on Common Law and practise rather than legislation. The Government, however, has made a real dogs breakfast of this by taking away rights which we have had for 1000 years and not exactly coming up with a reasonable regulatory system. See Peter Bard's excellent "sticky" above, http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bailiffs/61524-baliff-petition-stop-them.html for a detailed story of this legislation. Good Luck.

Count me in.

Excellent post, Chris. I take it that this "abandonment" of responsibility is an indication of lack of intelligence too (ie - not thinking for yourself, and letting others tell you how to live your life?)

Martin I was just pointing out that Christian beliefs differ from others (not saying one is right or the other is wrong). Christians tend to follow a certain doctrine (treat others as you would like to be treated yourself etc) - and their Christian beliefs would certainly influence whether they could carry out any job which inflicted suffering on others.

They will be too busy robbing the people that they CAN bully ! (Unfortunately many people are not aware of their rights and give-in to the pressure, threats and intimidation).