0:00:02 > 0:00:03Meet the sheriffs...
0:00:03 > 0:00:07I'm a High Court enforcement officer. We're here to execute a High Court writ.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- I'm not waiting.- I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt,
0:00:19 > 0:00:21which would mean clearing this place out.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24If you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Why don't you just tell me who you are?
0:00:26 > 0:00:29This is an absolute crock, you need to pay this.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33I've seized your car, sir.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Either let us in the door, or we'll go by the window.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...
0:00:37 > 0:00:39They're enforcement officers of the High Court
0:00:39 > 0:00:43and the law says they're on your side.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44I've just collected 42 grand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Coming up...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Open the door.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55In East London, a building owned by a charity has been occupied by squatters.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Can the sheriffs get the squatters out
0:00:59 > 0:01:01and return the building to its owners?
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- Enforcement officers!- You have an hour to get your stuff together.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Just keep your dog under control.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07DOG BARKS
0:01:07 > 0:01:12Ian Allen created some much-loved children's TV characters.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Welcome to Button Moon!
0:01:14 > 0:01:18He was shocked when someone stole and sold his designs.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Someone coming along and altering your creation.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23I was heartbroken...
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Angry...
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Will the sheriffs get Ian the money he's owed.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30I have been sent here today with a High Court writ to seize goods.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35And Graeme Maznik's motor had seriously faulty locks.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38I couldn't even take the key out of the ignition barrel.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39At the time I was very angry.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Graeme had to shell out for the repair.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43Morning...
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Can sheriffs Lawrence and Kev get him his money back?
0:01:46 > 0:01:50We are ordered here today to seize goods and the only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57The sheriffs are most often seen seizing goods
0:01:57 > 0:02:00on behalf of the High Court so that claimants
0:02:00 > 0:02:02get the money they're due.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06But they also enforce other High Court writs.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Today, they're in Hackney, East London,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12where a property belonging to the Hackney Joint Estate Charity
0:02:12 > 0:02:15has been occupied by squatters.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18The charity rents out buildings to finance its work with
0:02:18 > 0:02:20disadvantaged people in the borough
0:02:20 > 0:02:24but, with the squatters in place, there's no income.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26That is your hat, I believe. You must have mine.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Enforcement officers, Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33are part of a team who must get the squatters out.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36And they're being a bit quieter than usual.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39It's just coming up for six in the morning. We're in Hackney.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40We're at the rendezvous point,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43we're just waiting for some of the others to arrive.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45We'll be moving in...
0:02:45 > 0:02:48..covertly.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51We go in nice and early, hopefully we'll catch them in bed.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54They won't have time to respond, we'll catch them unawares.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56We just get copies of the writ, just to hand out,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59if any of the squatters want to see, while we're there,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02what the legal paperwork is and we've got these to show them.
0:03:02 > 0:03:03So there is no dispute about anything.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Lawrence and Kev have done this sort of thing before.
0:03:09 > 0:03:10They're not normally aggressive.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12You do get aggressive ones
0:03:12 > 0:03:15but there's all sorts of hazards you've got to be aware of.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19You've got to be aware of needles, contamination, electricity, water.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22You want to just try and keep the situation quite calm.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Once one of them starts getting quite lairy,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29it can generally have a knock-on effect and gains a bit of momentum.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32No, we try and keep it all peaceful enough.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34If they don't want to go and want to be obstructive,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37then they will be forcefully thrown out.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42For now, the team is sticking to the softly, softly approach.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Job one is to enter the building,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46quietly, if possible.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51We don't want to be shouting and hollering and making loads of noise.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55You know, alert them to us, barricade themselves in, or anything.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00The easiest way in, is the way they go in.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02That is always the easiest way.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04I don't think we can get a crowbar in this.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Slip it in there.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12They can't budge the lock, so they're going to force the door.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14WOOD CREAKS
0:04:16 > 0:04:18As expected, the noise attracts attention.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25Can you open the door, please?
0:04:33 > 0:04:34Good morning.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37One of the squatters has come down to open the door.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39How many of you guys are in here?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Can you wake up your friends and tell them to start backing up, yeah.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43Thank you very much.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47I've got one guy in there, he's getting his stuff.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50He's all right, no problem at the moment.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51Just one of you in here?
0:04:51 > 0:04:55OK, you need to pack your stuff up. We'll give you some time to pack.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56There's one in here, as well.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59We'll give you a little bit of time to pack.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01You have about an hour to get your stuff together.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- OK, one in there and one in there. - One here, as well.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06There's four, in all.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08It was a bit of an effort getting in.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11A solid, steel security door.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14It was on the verge of giving in when the young lady came
0:05:14 > 0:05:18and opened it. It does sound like they were expecting us.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21We'll give them an hour or so to get their stuff out now.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The squatters have hacked into the electricity supply
0:05:25 > 0:05:27and it's a serious risk.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29You know, you don't want to get an electric shock.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- I go nowhere near this. - I don't know if it's been earthed here. It's all been jumped.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37You can see bare electrics everywhere.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Potentially, you do not know what is live, and what isn't.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42You don't touch anything, really.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44This is their gardening.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47The home grown cannabis plants suggest that at least
0:05:47 > 0:05:50some of the squatters have been here a while.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53The priority is making sure they're all accounted for,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57then getting them to pack up their things and move out.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Is everyone packing?
0:05:58 > 0:06:00There are four people on this floor
0:06:00 > 0:06:02and they're packing their stuff up.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- You've got an hour, mate. - I've told them.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08The tall geezer is a bit out of it.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11He's fine but keep a bit of an eye on him, as well.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Everyone here, at the moment, is OK.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Just trying to keep it all on a level.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18The eviction is going well
0:06:18 > 0:06:20but this is only half the job.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23The writ includes the adjoining property,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25also occupied by squatters.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Open the door!
0:06:27 > 0:06:30They aren't co-operating and won't open the door.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33The sheriffs take action.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41We will return to Hackney to see what happens
0:06:41 > 0:06:43when the sheriffs get in.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45DOG BARKS
0:06:54 > 0:06:57On a bright, autumn morning, sheriffs Chris Pearson
0:06:57 > 0:06:58and Steve Hockborn
0:06:58 > 0:07:01are outside an industrial estate near the East coast.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04We're in Carnaby, East Yorkshire.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09Looking for a Mr Robert Redshaw on behalf of a Mr Ian Richard Allen,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12for the amount of £8,968.79.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17The person they're on their way to help is Ian Allen from Norfolk.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20You might not recognise him
0:07:20 > 0:07:23but if you're one of the millions of children he has inspired
0:07:23 > 0:07:25and entertained over the years,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28you'd certainly recognise one or two of his creations.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30# Button Moon... #
0:07:30 > 0:07:32This is Mr Spoon.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37He's called Mr Spoon because he's got wooden spoons for his arms.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39This is his wife, Mrs Spoon.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41This is their daughter Tina Tea-Spoon
0:07:41 > 0:07:44and this is their best friend, Eggbert.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Ian's a puppeteer and the man responsible for the all-time
0:07:49 > 0:07:51children's classic series, Button Moon.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53# Button Moon... #
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Oh, hello, Mr Spoon. Welcome to Button Moon!
0:07:57 > 0:08:02I did lots of things like Playschool, Rainbow, Spitting Image
0:08:02 > 0:08:06but my name to fame is Button Moon.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Climb into your spaceship.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Go on!
0:08:09 > 0:08:12We can all get ready for the countdown.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Someone asked me, "How did you get the ideas?"
0:08:14 > 0:08:17I was in Blackpool, looked up at the sky,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21saw a bright, yellow moon and thought, that could be a button.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Are you ready?
0:08:25 > 0:08:28In each episode, Mr Spoon would travel to Button Moon
0:08:28 > 0:08:30in his home-made rocket ship.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Five, four, three, two, one...
0:08:33 > 0:08:34Blast off!
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Whey!
0:08:37 > 0:08:41And, of course, all of the characters on the show
0:08:41 > 0:08:43were based on kitchen utensils.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47At the time I didn't realise it was going to be such a hit.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49It was a low-budget TV series.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52# Button Moon... #
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Although still regularly repeated on TV around the world,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01the last of its 91 episodes was made in 1988.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Since then, people have regularly approached Ian about ways
0:09:04 > 0:09:06of capitalising on its success.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Among them was Robert Redshaw,
0:09:09 > 0:09:13who runs a TV and film merchandise company near Bridlington.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14I said, "No" to Mr Redshaw
0:09:14 > 0:09:18because I've already got Button Moon T-shirts out there
0:09:18 > 0:09:21and if I do any work with you at all,
0:09:21 > 0:09:25I've got to approve the designs for the mugs
0:09:25 > 0:09:28and I didn't hear anything.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33So there was no-one more shocked when, some months later,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37his attention was drawn to a range of Button Moon-inspired merchandise
0:09:37 > 0:09:40being sold by Mr Redshaw's company.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42I switched on the computer,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I saw they were being sold all over the Internet.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I contacted Trading Standards.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51They were very sympathetic and said, "Yes, it's truly Button Moon."
0:09:51 > 0:09:55I was heartbroken, angry.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Someone coming along and altering your creation
0:09:59 > 0:10:02for their own means, was just awful.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Ian contacted Mr Redshaw who claimed the merchandise
0:10:06 > 0:10:10was just a parody, but this didn't satisfy Ian.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13He went back to Trading Standards, who told Mr Redshaw
0:10:13 > 0:10:17to stop selling it and destroy what stock he still had.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22When he was told by Trading Standards to destroy them, he sold them on.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27I found one ad on Amazon, another ad on eBay.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31He decided to take legal action to protect his creations
0:10:31 > 0:10:34and stop the sale of the merchandise. The case went to court.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38It's a painful experience to have to go to court.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42I can't say I enjoyed it. I was very scared. Stage fright.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45It's theatre, court.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46I didn't have this script.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50It was a new experience and I don't want to have to go through it again.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Robert Redshaw contested the case, maintaining it was
0:10:53 > 0:10:57a parody of the brand and not infringing Ian's copyright.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01The judge disagreed and was unimpressed by Mr Redshaw's failure
0:11:01 > 0:11:05to prove how much money he had made from the merchandise.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09You just can't come along and take someone's creation and use it.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12It is stealing.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16The judge agreed it was a clear infringement
0:11:16 > 0:11:18and awarded Ian the judgement,
0:11:18 > 0:11:24ordering Mr Redshaw to pay him £7,158.12.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Hurray!
0:11:26 > 0:11:30However, despite this order, Ian still hasn't been paid.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33He's now had to bring in some other stars of TV
0:11:33 > 0:11:35to help get him what's rightfully his.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45In East Yorkshire, Chris and Steve are paying a surprise visit
0:11:45 > 0:11:47to the man who produced the offending merchandise,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Robert Redshaw.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Redshaw House. - It's not really a lot of help.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57In Button Moon, Mr Spoon went to the moon in a baked bean can rocket.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02Equipped only with a van, Chris and Steve aren't doing quite as well,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05failing to find Mr Redshaw's business.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07This is where we went before.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11The trouble is, all of the units on the estate look the same.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Honestly, mate, it could be anything around here.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17We could be driving around all day, to be honest.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I'll tell you what, we'll pull in here.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22I'll run in and see if I can find out.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Even the locals don't seem aware of Mr Redshaw.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28I'm looking for a Robert Redshaw, Redshaw House?
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- No idea.- Thanks for your time, anyway. Cheers, buddy.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34That postcode covers most of the trading estate.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Nobody seems to know where it is.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Steve's gone to the bakery over there.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42He's either getting some information,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45or he's eating them out of house and home!
0:12:45 > 0:12:50Returning, baked potato free, Steve instead has some hot information.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Down here on the right it's called Kapow Gifts, or something.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56A few more minutes driving around and it's starting
0:12:56 > 0:12:58to get frustrating.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00She just said it's on this side.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- So you've verified it's on the trading estate, then?- Yeah, it is.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Why didn't you get an exact place to where it was when you asked?
0:13:06 > 0:13:07You'll have to ask her again.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Say, "Sorry, I'm that stupid I didn't get all the information last time I came in."
0:13:11 > 0:13:13What are you stopping for?
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Because I'm going to have to do what you didn't do.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17Right, let me out.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22I'll go and have a walk.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25We'll just have to wait and see what he comes up with.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28As Steve heads off,
0:13:28 > 0:13:32the location of Kapow Gifts hits Chris between the eyes.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36There it is! Redshaw House.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40There you go, we'll just leave him.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Where's he going?
0:13:44 > 0:13:45PHONE RINGS
0:13:45 > 0:13:47I'm talking to Mr Redshaw, can you get down here.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48I'm here now.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Right...
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Not only has Steve found Mr Redshaw,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57he's got himself inside his premises
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and once a sheriff is inside your commercial premises,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02by law, you can't get him out.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05OK, it's to do with Mr Ian Richard Allen.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Yeah, I thought it might be. - You know what it's about?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- I've e-mailed him countless times.- Right...
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- "Can't you send me an invoice on where to send the money."- Right.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17What we need to do, I've been sent today with a High Court writ
0:14:17 > 0:14:19to seize goods to clear the debt.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22I can show you the e-mail right now if you want to look at it.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24I've actually e-mailed him, "Where do you want the money?"
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Can you pay it off in full, first of all?
0:14:27 > 0:14:28Yeah, so long as it's now...
0:14:28 > 0:14:32£8,968 in total.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- I've got a bit... I'd like to dispute that...- Right.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- ..extras that he's going to charge for you.- Absolutely.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40He just never asked me for the money.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Far from disputing the case,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Mr Redshaw claims he has tried to pay Mr Allen the money.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49But, it hasn't been paid and Mr Allen has gone to the High Court,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51so Mr Redshaw's bill has gone up.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54That was your original bill with your judgement costs,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57which I believe was around about what you said you had to pay him.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01This is the interest accrued. This is the sheriffs' fees.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03But, but...
0:15:03 > 0:15:05On what basis...
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- How can- I- dispute that.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11I can't give too much advice because I'm working on his behalf.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Do you see? But, at the end of the day, if you have any grievances,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15you take it up with him.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18If you have any grievances with the court, you take it up with them.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20If you're in a position to pay it, the best thing to do is pay it
0:15:20 > 0:15:23and take it up in your own time. Pretty much straight away next week.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28- What's the procedure if I don't? - We will seize everything until we get proof of ownership.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31That's the route. Hopefully we don't have to go down that route
0:15:31 > 0:15:33but that's what we would have to go down.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36And with two sheriffs on-site, and the prospect of his property
0:15:36 > 0:15:40being seized and removed, Mr Redshaw agrees to pay.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I think he's going to pay by credit card,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46take it up with whoever he needs to take it up with later.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49That's all we need to do, get the payment, get out of here.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Steve heads in with the card machine.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55But in remote East Yorkshire,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58the card machine struggles to make a connection with the bank
0:15:58 > 0:16:02so the payment is done by direct transfer into the account.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07As Chris tidies up the paperwork,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Steve gets nostalgic about children's TV.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Oh, yeah, I watched it all the time!
0:16:13 > 0:16:14No...
0:16:14 > 0:16:15HE CHUCKLES
0:16:15 > 0:16:19I can remember it being on. I had a little girl at that time.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22She's 25 now, 24, so she doesn't still watch it.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28With the debt paid, Mr Redshaw wants to put his side of the story.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32I could understand why, it's his creation. It's his baby.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35He describes it as his baby and his children being kidnapped.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37He's a bit melodramatic.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38I can understand what he's saying.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41It's his main creation, I'm not aware of anything else he's created
0:16:41 > 0:16:45that's taken off like that. It was a big show at the time.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48But he still thinks it's a big thing, 30 years later,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51and that we've made a massive amount of money out of it.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54That's not the case. We only made a few hundred mugs.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57The licensing he would've got off that, the royalty,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01would have been 10%, which would only have been £100, or something.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04It's totally disproportionate to what was awarded.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07It's a good result for the sheriffs
0:17:07 > 0:17:09and for Button Moon creator, Ian Allen.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13I've done a bank transfer and he's cleared the full lot off, which is a result.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18And, finally, in the interests of justice, a decision must be made.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22Who was responsible for the hour it took to find the address?
0:17:22 > 0:17:27So, really, it's more Steve's fault than mine, to be honest,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29as is everything that goes wrong!
0:17:30 > 0:17:33No-one is more delighted at the outcome
0:17:33 > 0:17:35than Button Moon creator, Ian Allen.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37And, a couple of his friends.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Well done.
0:17:39 > 0:17:40The sheriffs got the money.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Yay!
0:17:50 > 0:17:54In Hackney, East London, Lawrence and Kev are part of a team evicting
0:17:54 > 0:17:59squatters from two buildings owned by the Hackney Joint Estate Charity.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Good morning.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05The squatters opened the door to the first property and are co-operating with the sheriffs.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06Open the door!
0:18:06 > 0:18:11But in the second building it's a different story.
0:18:20 > 0:18:26Lawrence applies his boot and then it's the same routine as next door.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Good morning, enforcement officers!
0:18:29 > 0:18:30Do you speak English?
0:18:30 > 0:18:32You don't speak English.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33You do speak English?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35You understand, yeah? OK.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36Pack your belongings and leave.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Which room's the dog in?
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- We're enforcement officers. - We know that. We're coming out now.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46We will give you an hour to get your stuff together, yeah.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Just keep your dog under control.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51There's the one woman in the room downstairs with the dog.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53We'll give her some time if she keeps the dog under control.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55They know the position.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58They know there's a repossession and they know they're going.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59Erm...
0:18:59 > 0:19:02So we'll just give a bit of time and they'll go peacefully.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06We're finding an increasing number that are actually employed.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10The squatters are co-operating, but there's a lot of kit to shift.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- Have you got everything you need there?- Yes.- Yeah?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16We want them to go as peacefully as possible.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18No aggravation.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25No, you'll have to make everyone a cup of tea if you're doing that.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- How many is there?- 15. - No, you're all right.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33In this building, too, Lawrence spots the tell-tale signs
0:19:33 > 0:19:36of horticultural activity.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40This is a little hydroponic cupboard
0:19:40 > 0:19:42for growing a cannabis plant.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46There's quite few cannabis plants being grown around the place.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49So, obviously, illegal activity is going on.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Definitely a bit funky.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59They have got a lot of stuff.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01This guy reckons he's been here a year.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Unless he's going to get removal trucks in,
0:20:03 > 0:20:07he's going to be here all day, which we're not going to be around for.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Many of the squatters are now outside the building
0:20:09 > 0:20:12and even the dog has been evicted.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- What's the dog's name?- Killer.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20The issue now is how to get rid of their stuff.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22The rear forecourt is getting absolutely full.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Really they could do with removal lorries.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27I don't know how they're going to get it away from here
0:20:27 > 0:20:29but there's an awful lot of stuff going out.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Some of the squatters have organised a truck.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36It's soon full.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Others opt for a less legal solution to moving out.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Yeah, there's been a little bit of a dispute at the moment
0:20:44 > 0:20:47because the squatters have been going to the local supermarket,
0:20:47 > 0:20:52paying their £1 for their trolley, wheeling them back, filling them with stuff and taking them away.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55The lady from the supermarket has come round demanding her
0:20:55 > 0:20:57trolleys back. That's what they've been up.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02Paying their £1 for their trolley and filling it up with stuff.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05But what do the squatters themselves think?
0:21:13 > 0:21:17They've given us time to get things out and, you know, that's awesome.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20At the end of the day, we've had a good run, we're happy.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22We know you need the building back, to renovate.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24That's OK, that's how the process goes.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It's not worth fighting for a building that'll be used.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29But it is for a building that's going to be left abandoned.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33What happens now? Standard procedure is, we get all our stuff to a safe place
0:21:33 > 0:21:35and then we go find another building.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Luckily, there's plenty around.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43The sheriffs believe there could have been over 25 squatters
0:21:43 > 0:21:45in the two properties.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49We have to search every bit of it. You do get people hiding.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52It's been known before. You come into the most grotty bit
0:21:52 > 0:21:54and you find somebody hiding in a corner.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Thinking they're going to get away with it and let their friends back in later on.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Now they've all gone and the building can be handed back.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Yeah, they've have their time now.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07All the stuff's gone that they need.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11We're going to shut up now and give our client a bit of a tour round,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15make sure he's happy with everything and get everything signed off
0:22:15 > 0:22:16and we're done here.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19The manager of the demolition firm
0:22:19 > 0:22:22contracted to strip the property isn't impressed.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24It's really bad.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27There's graffiti everywhere, there's rubbish.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30The basement is full up to the ceiling.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32It's dangerous.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35You couldn't live in it, it's beyond belief, really.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39It took us a little while to get in
0:22:39 > 0:22:42because one of them was very secure, metal door.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Once we were in, they just left.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50Locksmiths are securing the building to make sure it can't be reoccupied.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53The owners say it will be redeveloped very soon
0:22:53 > 0:22:57with rental income paying for the work of the charity.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00It's been a textbook operation for the sheriffs.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05Thanks, in part, to the co-operation of the now former squatters.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19High Court enforcement officers, known as sheriffs,
0:23:19 > 0:23:23have collected almost £200 million of unpaid court judgements
0:23:23 > 0:23:25in the last three years.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28We're here to seize goods from the property.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Now we do at this stage have our locksmith if needs be.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34If you get a county court judgement of over £600,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37you pay £60 to take it to the High Court
0:23:37 > 0:23:39so that the sheriffs can enforce it.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42We're in enforcement officers, we've got a High Court writ.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44We've come to take 12,056.76
0:23:45 > 0:23:49If the sheriffs succeed, there's no more to pay.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52If they don't, there's a £60 admin fee.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55I'm not leaving, no, I'm an enforcement officer with a High Court writ.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11It's a breakfast time start for the sheriffs.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16Enforcement officers Lawrence and Kev are heading east out of London.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20We're on our way to Royston in Hertfordshire, at the moment.
0:24:20 > 0:24:21It's 8:20.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24We're going to a car dealer, Ash Vehicle Sales.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25It is a limited company.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29We haven't got limited on our paperwork, we've got Ash Vehicle Sales.
0:24:32 > 0:24:33The man the sheriffs are on their way to help
0:24:33 > 0:24:36is bright, young spark, Graeme Maznik.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40He currently lives in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44I've been training for an electrician for about a year and a half now.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47I'm about halfway into a three-year course.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Graeme's ambition is to become a fully qualified electrician.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53He's been working and studying hard, as an apprentice,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55to learn his trade.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59As well as qualifications, he also needs a vehicle to get him from job to job.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04It's essential to get my own transport to get myself into business, really.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09I've saved up about 3,600 and had a part exchange on my old car.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Graeme spent over two months searching online
0:25:13 > 0:25:16before finding Ash Vehicle Sales, a garage run by Ashley Smith,
0:25:16 > 0:25:20who was selling the ideal vehicle, a Mitsubishi L200.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25I looked through his website and it seemed pretty genuine.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29It quotes on there that I'm trustworthy salesman dealer
0:25:29 > 0:25:30and he's always there to help.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Graeme made the journey to Cambridge to check out the vehicle.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39He was thrilled with the Mitsubishi 4x4.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44When I turned up he was a friendly guy. He gave me the chatter, as a car dealer would.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48The vehicle already had the key in it. I took it for a test drive. I was happy with it.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52The guy took the cash and a couple of moments after that he left.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57Graeme was happy with the vehicle and having paid £5,050,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59made the journey back home.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02He wasn't expecting what was to happen next.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05I went to lock it, I couldn't take the key out of the ignition barrel.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Me and my dad were there for about half an hour.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Pretty frustrated, and, at the time, was very angry.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15With no way of removing the key from the ignition,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Graeme couldn't lock the doors to secure the vehicle,
0:26:19 > 0:26:20rendering it unusable.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23He desperately needed the car for work,
0:26:23 > 0:26:28so contacted Ash Vehicle Sales many times to get the 4x4 fixed.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Mr Smith wasn't interested.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34It was pretty wrong really because he sold me the car
0:26:34 > 0:26:36and at no point tried to rectify the situation.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39I mean, if I was an electrician, I went to someone's job
0:26:39 > 0:26:42and they had a problem, I'd say, "Look, don't worry about it,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45"I'll be around as soon as I can to fix it."
0:26:45 > 0:26:46It's bang out of order.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51Mr Smith didn't acknowledge any of Graeme's letters, or phone calls.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56Graeme's only option was to get the vehicle fixed himself at a Mitsubishi garage.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00The bill after we'd taken it to the Mitsubishi garage was £526.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04I sent Mr Smith the invoice for the work to be done.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07He couldn't have done the work because it had to be done by a Mitsubishi dealer.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Ash Vehicle Sales didn't acknowledge the invoice, or respond.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Graeme had to borrow the money for the repairs from his dad.
0:27:18 > 0:27:24Graeme wasn't willing to stand for this and decided to take his case to court.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27I thought the best way to take it to county court
0:27:27 > 0:27:30and get the situation done, like, the legal way.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33It's Mr Smith's responsibility to have the car
0:27:33 > 0:27:36in a roadworthy condition.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Why should it be my responsibility to fix it
0:27:38 > 0:27:42when he sold it to me as it is?
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Mr Smith didn't attend court.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49In his absence judgement was issued in Graeme's favour
0:27:49 > 0:27:53and he was awarded £695.67.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57Since the judgement, Graeme hasn't heard from Ash Vehicle Sales.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Now he has one last hope...
0:27:59 > 0:28:01..the sheriffs.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12On their way to Royston, Lawrence is optimistic it that he will be
0:28:12 > 0:28:14able to get Graeme his money.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16If he's a bona fide car dealer,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18they should have plenty of stock there.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22One car would probably cover that so I would hope we would find
0:28:22 > 0:28:25sufficient assets to clear this quite easily.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26It is AVS?
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- Ash Vehicle Services. - That's it, there.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Except we're Ash Vehicle Sales.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- We have been warned. - What have we been warned about?
0:28:35 > 0:28:39- I don't know, satellite dishes? - Satellite dishes?
0:28:39 > 0:28:41I always watch out for a satellite dish.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45When they arrive at Ash Vehicles Sales, the gates are locked.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47There isn't anyone to clock us just yet.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- Right, it's a bit.- It's on us.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Lawrence was hoping there would be assets
0:28:54 > 0:28:57and some promising vehicles are parked outside.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00He knows from bitter experience they'll be of no use
0:29:00 > 0:29:03unless he can prove they are owned by the company.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Morning.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10- I'm looking for Ash Vehicle Sales. - Yeah.- That yourself, is it?
0:29:11 > 0:29:12Just show you some ID.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16We've got a High Court writ to execute against Ash Vehicle Sales
0:29:16 > 0:29:17on behalf of a Graeme Manzik.
0:29:17 > 0:29:23We're ordered here today to seize goods to the value of £1640.95.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26The only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30- Graeme Mansik?- Yeah. Sorry Maznik. M-AZ-N-I-K.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Do you know him?- Come in the office, I don't know.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41He has a writ against you.
0:29:43 > 0:29:48Ashley Smith, the owner of AVS, asks our camera to stay outside.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53At first, he doesn't remember the case.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57I've got a copy of the actual judgement
0:29:57 > 0:30:01and it says that you didn't send a response.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Mr Smith says he's recently moved house
0:30:04 > 0:30:07and that the paperwork must been delivered to his old address.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Lawrence isn't buying the story.
0:30:10 > 0:30:11This is the address we've got.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14I would imagine if he came here to deal with you,
0:30:14 > 0:30:17then that's the address he would have put on it
0:30:17 > 0:30:21and that's the address that all the paperwork would have come to. The simplest thing to do is pay it.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Lawrence points out that with a live writ
0:30:25 > 0:30:27he has to either collect money, or assets, today.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31He's gone through the county court, it's been transferred to the High Court
0:30:31 > 0:30:34so that we've got a live writ and that's it.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38Mr Smith realises that his only option is to pay the money
0:30:38 > 0:30:40today and he offers Lawrence a cheque.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Don't take cheques.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46It's cleared funds, so credit card, debit card, cash, bank transfer...
0:30:46 > 0:30:50He's going to pay on a card now and get this out of the way.
0:30:50 > 0:30:51We're just going to list down some goods.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55He's got this Porsche out the front here so we'll put that down on our paperwork.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Erm, he's going to pay anyway. No, it's all good.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02I'll write you out one of our receipts, yeah.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04We'll leave you in peace.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Ashley Smith has paid the sheriffs in full.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Now he wants to put his side of the case.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13His issue was he bought a vehicle,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16a week later, he had a problem with the lock,
0:31:16 > 0:31:20which he sent me a letter to say he'd already decided
0:31:20 > 0:31:23to have it fixed without letting me know about it.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27He referred it to a Small Claims Court and, erm,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30it's gone on from there.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I've sent paperwork back to the court
0:31:33 > 0:31:36for resolution and I haven't heard anything back
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and then this is his why it has resulted like it has today.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43£1,645.95...
0:31:43 > 0:31:46I had no other option than to just to pay it.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48It shouldn't have gone as far as it has today.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51As I say, it's down to the court's fault, not mine.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56It's been another good result for the sheriffs
0:31:56 > 0:31:59and for Mr Maznik, who will get his money back.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Even though they won't need to seize vehicles today,
0:32:02 > 0:32:07Kev can't help taking a professional view of Mr Smith's Porsche.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09'95 Boxster, 4,500, five grand?
0:32:09 > 0:32:13Fairly quick, in-out, got the payment, onto the next job,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16couldn't be better really for a car dealer.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Sheriffs have special powers to seize goods,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35they can then sell at auction to settle a debt.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Often the threat of seizure is enough to make the debtor pay
0:32:38 > 0:32:42but if the individual, or company, has no assets to seize,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44it may leave the sheriffs powerless.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49That's the challenge facing High Court enforcement officers,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Mark Newton and Tony Smith, as they head into Essex,
0:32:52 > 0:32:57hoping to enforce a claim against a company with a somewhat confusing name.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00We're going to Betterview Windows and Conservatories Kent Ltd
0:33:00 > 0:33:03in Wickford, in Essex,
0:33:03 > 0:33:09for the amount of £36,126.40.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Betterview Windows Kent Ltd is based in Essex
0:33:13 > 0:33:18and the claim is being brought by former employee, David Steel,
0:33:18 > 0:33:20who was made redundant after 17 years.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23He rejected the company's redundancy offer
0:33:23 > 0:33:27and the case went to court, where it was not contested.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Mr Steel was awarded £30,000 for unfair dismissal
0:33:31 > 0:33:33and loss of earnings.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36The company appealed and lost,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39but the claimant has not received his money.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Can Tony and Mark get him paid?
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Hiya. I'm after Betterview Windows and Conservatories.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53We're from the sheriffs,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55for Mr D K Steel.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01I'll see if I can get someone to come out to you.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- Yeah, we'll wait here then. - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Minutes later Tony and Mark are invited inside.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11One of Betterview's doors is shut on our camera.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20Then it's through more doors as they cross to another building
0:34:20 > 0:34:23to meet the general manager. He doesn't want to be filmed.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Our cameraman is asked to leave the building.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32The man they're meeting is Barry Noad.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35He claims the company has no assets and is unable to pay.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38You have no way of paying anything at all? All right.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42He says that any assets on site are owned by his wife.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45If you can't afford to pay, we'll need to see proof
0:34:45 > 0:34:49that the stuff is not yours. We need to see proof of that, then.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Mark asks for proof about who owns what.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Mr Noad heads off to get the paperwork.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Meanwhile, Tony and Mark list assets
0:34:58 > 0:35:01in case there is anything they can seize.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Say he drives a Range Rover, which is probably one of these two.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07At the end of the day, it isn't going to be registered to the company, is it?
0:35:10 > 0:35:13He's got a truck and some vans that are quite good, worth a bit of money.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16We don't know whether they're on finance, or belong to the company
0:35:16 > 0:35:19but, as it stands at the moment, we have seized them on paper.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22We're just waiting for some documents to arrive now.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28The boss explains that the original company, Betterview Windows Essex
0:35:28 > 0:35:30went into administration in 2008
0:35:30 > 0:35:33when the bank called in their loan.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37They kept trading through another company, Betterview Windows Kent.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40All the assets of the Essex company, including the vans
0:35:40 > 0:35:45the sheriffs seized, were bought personally by Mr Noad's wife.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Basically all the assets you and your wife personally own,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51because you lent the money to the company.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53This is bad news.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58With no assets to seize, the sheriffs have no way of getting the £30,000.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02Can Mark get anything for the unfairly dismissed David Steel?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04This is quite a complicated case.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09Mr Noad says he let five men go and two rejected the redundancy package.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13One of those has since accepted a payment plan of £500 a month
0:36:13 > 0:36:16but David Steel didn't, leaving him with nothing.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20What we're going to need to do is get an arrangement going
0:36:20 > 0:36:23if there isn't an arrangement in place.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Mark tries to speak to the company accountant about putting
0:36:26 > 0:36:30a plan in place, but he's not there today.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34With no cash on the table, and no assets to seize, reluctantly Tony
0:36:34 > 0:36:38and Mark depart with the promise the accountant will call within a week.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40- Cheers!- See you later.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43Meanwhile, Mr Noad wants to put his point of view
0:36:43 > 0:36:47and explains that he was ill when the case went to court.
0:36:47 > 0:36:53I had a stroke and I made an agreement to pay £500 a month
0:36:53 > 0:36:56and it was accepted, but David Steel wants his money in full
0:36:56 > 0:37:00because I drive around in a reasonably nice car and I work
0:37:00 > 0:37:04average 16 hour days and he said that we're very wealthy.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Unfortunately, that's not the case.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Where does that leave David Steel?
0:37:09 > 0:37:11Basically I haven't got any money
0:37:11 > 0:37:14and I don't think the claimant's going to be happy with that
0:37:14 > 0:37:17but, unfortunately, if that's what he's offering,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20our hands are a bit tied because there's nothing more we can do.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24If Mr Steel agrees, at £500 a month,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27the debt will take five years to settle.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30With nothing to seize, for once, the only powers
0:37:30 > 0:37:34the sheriffs could exercise are their powers of persuasion.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38And, since we filmed,
0:37:38 > 0:37:44David Steel did receive payments of £6,500 from Betterview Windows Kent.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48However, since then the company has gone into liquidation
0:37:48 > 0:37:54with Mr Steel now unlikely to get back the remaining £26,000 he's owed.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07On a sunny afternoon in the north-west of England,
0:38:07 > 0:38:11enforcement officers Pete Spencer and Graham Biggins are in Blackpool.
0:38:11 > 0:38:16They're heading to the offices of an advertising company, Storemedia Plc.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Having run into financial difficulties,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22the company was taken to court for unpaid solicitors' fees.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26They didn't contest the case and judgement was issued for them to pay up.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Pete's previously visited the office where
0:38:29 > 0:38:33he has seized goods on paper with the threat of removing them unless
0:38:33 > 0:38:36the company stuck to a payment plan they set up for the debt.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Unfortunately, for Storemedia, payments have ceased
0:38:40 > 0:38:43so now Pete's back and, if the money isn't raised today,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46goods will be going with the sheriffs.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00- Hiya, Storemedia? Enforcement officer.- OK, no problem.- Thank you.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- You dealt with me last time, in the office.- Yeah. I'll see to it.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07The staff clearly remember Pete and the debt.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10They take him into a private office to discuss the next step.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- Hiya, are you OK? We spoke last time, didn't we?- Yeah.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16It's the same case, unfortunately.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19The payment plan's not been kept up to, or it's not been accepted,
0:39:19 > 0:39:24I don't think by the claimant. Yeah, they've rejected the offer.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26We've come for full payment today,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29or to remove those goods that we seized last time.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- Which goods are them? - All the Dell computers.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36They did last time I came when I seized them.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39So where've they gone to now, then, if they belong to somebody else?
0:39:39 > 0:39:41OK.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46At this point, our cameraman is asked to leave the building.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Pete, meanwhile, keeps going inside.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51In particular, he's interested in the items
0:39:51 > 0:39:55he's seized on his previous visits, mainly computer equipment.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57They're technically the property of the court
0:39:57 > 0:40:01and if Storemedia won't pay, they'll be leaving with Pete.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05The Dell computers were the property of Storemedia last time.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08But the member of staff gives Pete some worrying news.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12He says Storemedia has gone into administration
0:40:12 > 0:40:15and the equipment in the office has been sold to another company.
0:40:16 > 0:40:21Pete explains to the staff that as the business is not yet officially in administration,
0:40:21 > 0:40:25the items he listed are technically the property of the High Court,
0:40:25 > 0:40:29so they couldn't be sold to another company.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Pete lays down the options to the office staff.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Pay up, or the computers go.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Storemedia plc, are they able to pay that amount?
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Are they able to pay any amount off that figure?
0:40:42 > 0:40:44The staff say they can't afford to pay the debt,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47as Storemedia's bank account is now frozen.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50We will be removing goods today.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Seizing and removing goods is a last resort for the sheriffs
0:40:54 > 0:40:57but with this company in administration,
0:40:57 > 0:41:01and unable to pay anything, the sheriffs have no choice.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Yeah, we've got a few items.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06We're just going to start loading them up now.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08We've got quite a few computers and bits and bats.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13The scenario is at the moment, we're seized all the items from our other visit.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16That's what we're removing today. There's 20 items in total.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21Dell towers, Dell monitors and some keyboards and a mouse
0:41:21 > 0:41:23and a data card machine.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26While Pete and Graham get on with the heavy lifting,
0:41:26 > 0:41:30someone comes out of the office to tell us things from his point of view.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33The company, Storemedia, is going to into administration
0:41:33 > 0:41:36so, unfortunately, the bank account is frozen at the moment.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Even if we did have the available funds,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41we wouldn't have the capability to pay it, either way.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43I have explained that to the gentleman but,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46unfortunately when they've got a warrant...
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Unfortunately, they're coming to seize goods so there's not a lot we can do about that.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Printing has gone up over the years
0:41:51 > 0:41:53so when your bad debt goes up
0:41:53 > 0:41:56from maybe eight, ten, 12% to nearer 20-25%,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59it has a big impact on the cash flow
0:41:59 > 0:42:01and the day-to-day running of the company.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03It's no real fault of the directors.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06It's no-fault of the staff. It's just down to the economy, really.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12That won't be enough, there's £7,800 outstanding.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Unfortunately, the assets have got very little value really
0:42:15 > 0:42:19but to do our job we're taking the assets of the company that was here.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- Is that everything at 20 items? - That's it.- Sound.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Get some paperwork signed and we'll be on our way.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Yeah, it went all right.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I don't think they're going to bring much money but it's better than nowt, I suppose.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34The position to wind up the PLC company,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37which is going through on Monday, in the High Court, anyway.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40After next week, the company probably won't exist, anyway.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43And, with that, Pete and Graham head off.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47Although they're some way short of the amount they were after,
0:42:47 > 0:42:51Pete's persistence means they don't leave with nothing.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Once the equipment is sold on behalf of the administrators,
0:42:54 > 0:42:59the out of pocket solicitors firm should get some of the money they're owed.