Charity calls for action to regulate rogue bailiffs
The behaviour of some bailiffs is making people's financial struggles worse, according to a leading charity.
Citizens Advice is calling for stronger regulation of the sector, warning that – with high living costs raising the risk of people falling behind on bills – – the regulation of bailiff firms should be put on a statutory footing.
The warning comes after Citizens Advice commissioned a YouGov survey of 5,700 people in England and Wales which found 49% of those who had come into contact with a bailiff saying they had experienced long-term financial consequences – such as debts becoming harder to manage and not being able to pay other bills because of bailiff fees.
Citizens Advice says that, with more people falling into debt, a voluntary, self-regulation model is no longer able to meet the scale of the issue.
Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "Rules are in place to try and ensure bailiffs act fairly to recover debt, but our advisers are hearing from people every day who are being intimidated and harassed by bailiffs breaking these rules.
"This can't be allowed to continue.WeneedtheGovernmenttostepupandensurethe industry is held accountable for its actions through a statutory regulatory body."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "It is vital that vulnerable people in debt areprotectedandnotharassed by rogue bailiffs, which is why we have announced plans to make body worn video cameras compulsory and backed the recently established Enforcement Conduct Board to better hold private bailiffs to account.”