The government has been accused of trampling on individual liberties by proposing wide-ranging new powers for bailiffs to break into homes and to use “reasonable force†against householders who try to protect their valuables.
Under the regulations, bailiffs for private firms would for the first time be given permission to restrain or pin down householders. They would also be able to force their way into homes to seize property to pay off debts, such as unpaid credit card bills and loans.
The government, which wants to crack down on people who evade debts, says the new powers would be overseen by a robust industry watchdog. However, the laws are being criticised as the latest erosion of the rights of the householder in his own home.
“These laws strip away tried and tested protections that make a person’s home his castle, and which have stood for centuries,†said Paul Nicolson, chairman of the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust, a London-based welfare charity. “They could clearly lead to violent confrontations and undermine fundamental liberties.†Times
“If a person locks himself in their home, it might be reasonable to break open the door, but probably not to smash a hole in the wall,†Her Majesty’s Courts Service guidelines.
well thats encouraging, since we often get bailiff letters for the previous tennants.
Yeah we have had loads of problems with previous occupants and the only thing that kept me sane at the time was the fact that they couldn’t come in. Thats all we need in this current economic climate, having our houses broken into if we miss one card payment or somesuch…
only “probably not to smash a hole”????? not definitely????? Sigh….
I got one baliff telling me he absolutely KNEW i was Mrs X and he was going to take my car when we were in our old house. It took quite a bit of talking. Typically, this potential law will damage the innocent far more than the guilty and the hard pressed far more than the wilful non-payer.