0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Meet the sheriffs.- Let's introduce ourselves.- Got a High Court writ.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07If it's not payable, we're going to be removing the stock.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:10 > 0:00:11It's about to get physical.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17We need to deal with it now.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- We're going to remove the cost of that value.- If you're acting on
0:00:19 > 0:00:20his authority, pay it.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24..if you've been to court and still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:25Are you going to open this building,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27sir, or am I going to force entry into it?
0:00:27 > 0:00:28You need to pay this.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- Don't put your hands on me.- I'm going to call the locksmith,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36effect entry into the premises and remove all the items.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40They're Enforcement Agents of the High Court
0:00:40 > 0:00:43and the law says they're on your side.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Just collected £42,000.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Coming up...
0:00:49 > 0:00:54One proud Mini owner in Derbyshire put his car in for an engine refit,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57what he got back came as a surprise.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00They really did ruin the car completely.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Tommy is on the case to get him his money back.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06They way it's standing at the minute,
0:01:06 > 0:01:08they want us to look to remove.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11So we're going to need to get some money together, basically.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16The sheriffs take up the fight for a small dental supply firm in Kent
0:01:16 > 0:01:19who were left feeling numb when they didn't get paid.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21The worst case scenario is that
0:01:21 > 0:01:25I potentially may have to make people redundant.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Lawrence and Kev are sent to put that right
0:01:28 > 0:01:30My name's Mr Grix, I'm here today
0:01:30 > 0:01:36to take control of goods to the value of £1,022.91.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39And sheriffs Marc and Tony are visiting a car garage.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41We just need to speak to him cos if
0:01:41 > 0:01:43we don't, we'll be taking his cars out of here.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45But taking control of cars is difficult
0:01:45 > 0:01:47when the sheriffs get locked in.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Today, sheriffs Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild
0:01:59 > 0:02:01are working together in the Midlands.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04They're both glad to have a partner with them because they've got
0:02:04 > 0:02:06a tricky job ahead.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09They're making a return visit to a company called Jonspeed Ltd
0:02:09 > 0:02:13but both of them are feeling the pressure on this case.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Tommy carried out the first visit on his own
0:02:15 > 0:02:19but couldn't get any money and he had a dispute with the owners.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22We're on our way to a call in Nuneaton this morning,
0:02:22 > 0:02:27it's a business, Jonspeed Ltd, we've been on this call...
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Well, I've been on this call on my own previously.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Very aggressive from the off, wanted me to leave the premises,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35obviously, I explain I can't do that.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39He's demanding I get out of the building, I stand my ground,
0:02:39 > 0:02:45it gets very heated, I have to call 999, police attend, he's concocted
0:02:45 > 0:02:48a story that I've assaulted him,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52to get me gone, basically.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55So it came out me actually leaving in the end.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Thankfully, the allegations from staff at the company
0:02:59 > 0:03:01weren't taken any further.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05A few weeks later, I have a letter saying the case has been dropped,
0:03:05 > 0:03:10there's no case to answer cos it was just a ridiculous accusation.
0:03:10 > 0:03:11And we're back here today,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14hoping to meet the gentleman again and get it sorted.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21And the man hoping they really do get it sorted,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24is car-mad retiree, Anthony James, from Derbyshire.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29He's the very proud owner of this Mini.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31It's just that I love Minis.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36I loved the car from the first time I set my eyes on it and
0:03:36 > 0:03:38it was my pride and joy,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42and no matter what that car wanted, money-wise, it had spent on it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44I would never, ever get rid of it.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47It's looking a bit dirty.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52I'm doing some work on her but I absolutely love it to bits.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54It was originally a Mini Mayfair,
0:03:54 > 0:03:59I've had it resprayed in Aston Martin guards red.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02But like so many of the things in life we love,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05they sometimes cause us a lot of grief.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Anthony decided to have his Mini's engine refurbished.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12He hoped it would mean improved performance and speed.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15He looked around for a company to do the work
0:04:15 > 0:04:17and settled on a garage called Jonspeed Ltd.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21I entrusted them with the job, spoke to them, they seemed great.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Me and a friend of mine took the engine out and took it to them.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Initially, it was for six weeks,
0:04:27 > 0:04:32and unfortunately, the whole escapade lasted some 11 months.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40This is my de-stress room.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Well, that's all lit up.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44With his Mini off the road,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Anthony had an attic full of other cars to play with.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52The layout I have is based on '60s Goodwood.
0:04:52 > 0:04:551,700 cars-plus,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57majority of them, Spanish and older cars
0:04:57 > 0:04:59and it's something I love doing,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02which I spend a lot of time up in my loft restoring
0:05:02 > 0:05:05and I sell on eBay and sell all over the world.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Never mind, have another go.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21After weeks of waiting, the time came for Anthony to put down
0:05:21 > 0:05:26the Scalextric and go and collect the real engine from Jonspeed Ltd.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29He and his friend, Steven, a car expert,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32brought it home to fit it back into the Mini.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37After the engine had gone in, there was a leak from the water pump.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41The engine smoked, it just wasn't good at all
0:05:41 > 0:05:44and Steven, being a first-class mechanic, that's his trade,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48said, "This is not a particularly good engine, there's problems here."
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Naturally, he contacted Jonspeed Ltd.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56So, I dealt with them and asked them to collect the car, I didn't
0:05:56 > 0:05:59want to take the engine out, it was their responsibility
0:05:59 > 0:06:02because obviously, they'd done the work, so they collected the car
0:06:02 > 0:06:06and had, basically, four attempts to get the engine right.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Despite that, the engine still wasn't running well.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Anthony says he returned the car three times
0:06:16 > 0:06:19because the engine appeared to be smoking and when that problem
0:06:19 > 0:06:23seemed to have been fixed, he noticed the oil pressure was wrong.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26It was going down when it should be going up.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30He took it back for a fourth time but it still wasn't fixed.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32He says he lost patience with the garage
0:06:32 > 0:06:34and decided to take his car back for good.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39Well, after 11 months of trying and giving them every opportunity to
0:06:39 > 0:06:42put the car right, they couldn't.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46And on turning up at the workshop, the last time, to pick my car up,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49I was told never to go back to them.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50They made it very, very clear to
0:06:50 > 0:06:54me that they didn't want to see me or my car ever again.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00They really did ruin the car completely.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03I was very close to getting rid of the car.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08He had waited patiently but now, he didn't want to risk
0:07:08 > 0:07:12driving any distance in a car that he felt still wasn't running right.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16He decided he would need advice from another Mini specialist
0:07:16 > 0:07:19and that could mean more work being needed.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24I had to have the engine tuned by a proper specialist
0:07:24 > 0:07:26cos it was so rough.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28It's work after work after work
0:07:28 > 0:07:32but fortunately, now, the car runs perfect, the car's spot-on
0:07:32 > 0:07:34and I've got, touch wood, no more problems.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Anthony was finally happy.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41The second garage was able to get the car running well
0:07:41 > 0:07:43and he was pleased with their work.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48But as a result, he was left with a bill for £1,000.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Getting his car fixed up had proved a disaster and as a result,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Anthony decided to take legal action
0:07:55 > 0:07:58to get back what he'd spent on the engine.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00The decision to go to court was not hard for me.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02It was a straightforward matter.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07I was passionate about the whole thing and it needed to be sorted
0:08:07 > 0:08:11because it's very unfair for us, as customers, we have to pay and
0:08:11 > 0:08:14if we don't pay, there's a problem, they can get their money.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18I paid, upfront, and for all the works done,
0:08:18 > 0:08:23and when it comes to getting your money back, it's a hard, long slog.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29He took his case to court but no-one from Jonspeed Ltd turned up to put
0:08:29 > 0:08:30their side of the story
0:08:30 > 0:08:34and the judgment was made in Anthony's favour.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36I was hoping they would pay up,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40the amount of £4,830 that was awarded.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Unfortunately, they didn't.
0:08:42 > 0:08:49So then, the bailiffs from the small claims attended Jonspeed
0:08:49 > 0:08:54and had no success in claiming any money whatsoever.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Now, in the meantime, there was a programme that came on the television
0:08:58 > 0:09:02called The Sheriffs Are Coming and I thought to myself,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04"I think I'll use them."
0:09:04 > 0:09:08The total now stands at over £7,500.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20On the road in Nuneaton, sheriffs Tommy and Craig are hoping
0:09:20 > 0:09:24to get stuck in and get Anthony his money.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27They're about to make their second visit to Jonspeed Ltd.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30The last one ended in confrontation with staff
0:09:30 > 0:09:32and the police had to be called.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35It also turned out that the sheriffs' writ said 'Jonspeed'
0:09:35 > 0:09:38instead of 'Jonspeed Ltd'
0:09:38 > 0:09:41but this time, they have the right name and are looking to get paid.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45There's been a change in name on the writ, they've got the 'Ltd' on there
0:09:45 > 0:09:47as well, so we'll be making a beeline for him
0:09:47 > 0:09:51and having a chat with him and see if he wants to pay this in full.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55There's a lot of money at stake and Tommy doesn't want a confrontation.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57It's always better to double up on these things and to calm
0:09:57 > 0:09:59the aggression down from the start.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02We're bringing the police with us to stop a breach of the peace
0:10:02 > 0:10:03from the off.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08The judgment debt, now, is just short of £8,000.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11There is assets there and if he ain't going to pay anything,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14then we might get the instruction just to remove what is there.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19The unit they are heading to is on an industrial estate,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22so they pull up and wait for the police to arrive.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26I think I've met these guys before.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29What we're going to do is I'm going to drive down
0:10:29 > 0:10:32turn round and pull up so I can come straight out
0:10:32 > 0:10:34and go to enter the unit.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37I don't know if you guys want to pull up straight away or follow me,
0:10:37 > 0:10:38and pull up behind, it's up to you.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Tommy and Craig are straight in with the police behind them.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45There you go.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Hello. All right, mate.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Just trying to get in contact with Mr Warmington.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- Mr Warmington...- You all right, mate?- We're back again.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55They've changed the name on the order
0:10:55 > 0:10:57to Jonspeed Ltd.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Just sent us back to enforce the writ, unfortunately.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05- Was he going to pay it?- Yeah.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07But a quick check by Tommy
0:11:07 > 0:11:10confirms no payment has been made
0:11:10 > 0:11:12towards the £7,000+ debt.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14There's absolutely nothing on the file.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20So what did you propose?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25If you had e-mailed 'em and said,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27"We're going to pay £1,000 today...?"
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- Right...- Then we'll start paying monthly £1,000...
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I asked the question. I said, "What would be acceptable."
0:11:32 > 0:11:35They can't tell you that, it's down to you to offer.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38This employee is saying that he made an offer to pay,
0:11:38 > 0:11:42but Tommy feels he needed to offer a specific amount.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46As the court ordered them to pay up, they should have done so.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50So, you're going to need to get some money together, basically.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Yeah, I know that.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55The way it stands, they want us to look to remove.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57That's what we're geared up for today,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59hence we've got the police here.
0:11:59 > 0:12:00I'm OK with the police being here,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02especially after what happened last time.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Yeah, cool. We just need you to make payment or unfortunately...
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- ..we need to start listing assets. - What do we need to pay today?
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Well, the whole amount at the moment.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15We're not going to be able to afford the whole amount.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17But after Tommy's insistence,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20the staff realise they have to make a serious offer today.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25He's gave 'em a debit payment of £1,500 today -
0:12:25 > 0:12:30but...can't stretch any more than that. I might as well shut me door.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31Right. I'll put that to them
0:12:31 > 0:12:33and come and have a chat with you in a second.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Tommy doesn't think their £1,500 offer is big enough.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41He goes outside to call the office.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44All right, I'll put that to them.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47We'll take it from there. No problem.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50They agree that Jonspeed Ltd need to improve it.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Negotiations aren't over yet.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55If you pay 2,500 today,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57we will list everything down -
0:12:57 > 0:12:59which is only on paper -
0:12:59 > 0:13:02you then sign a controlled goods agreement,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04like you'll pay 500 a month after the 2,500
0:13:04 > 0:13:06and we go forward from there.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Are you going to be able to do that? Cos other than that...
0:13:16 > 0:13:19They've agreed to Tommy's offer - it's a major success
0:13:19 > 0:13:22in getting Anthony his money as quickly as possible.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25And it's a big improvement over the last visit.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29It's just going to be a part-payment today of 2,500.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32We're going to take control of everything in there,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34get a controlled goods agreement signed, as we do,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37to secure the rest of the debt. They'll pay £500 a month -
0:13:37 > 0:13:39it's a good result.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Tommy heads up to the office to arrange today's payment.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47And as part of their repayment agreement, the sheriffs have taken
0:13:47 > 0:13:52control of valuable assets in the garage such as tools and machinery.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54That means the company can't dispose of them
0:13:54 > 0:13:59until the debt is paid - and the sheriffs relinquish control.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Is it a debit card? Yeah. OK.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04My colleague at the moment is just doing the list of assets.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Once he's completed that, I'll leave you a copy of everything today,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10I'll briefly go through it with you.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And I'll do you a handwritten receipt, for your payment today.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17And with the sheriffs' work done, Jonspeed Ltd can go back to work.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21And so can the police, who weren't needed this time round.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23All right, take care. Take care,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I'll probably see you again in the future.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31Yeah, result. They managed get £2,500 paid on the PDQ machine.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33The value of the stuff was minimal
0:14:33 > 0:14:34compared to what the actual debt is,
0:14:34 > 0:14:39so getting a part-payment as Tommy did was quite an achievement.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41We took control of all the goods in there,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45got them into a controlled goods agreement, £500 per month.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48So it was a good result, considering what happened last time!
0:14:48 > 0:14:51The team at Jonspeed Ltd wanted a chance
0:14:51 > 0:14:54to put their side of the story.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58He didn't fit his oil filter housing correctly,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00which caused a lack of oil
0:15:00 > 0:15:04to go to the engine and blew it up. He blamed us for that.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07We brought the car back here to sort it out
0:15:07 > 0:15:09even though I don't have to sort it out.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12I wouldn't never change from the way I am.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14I'm honest, I'm fair with everybody.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18You know, we only earn an honest living here.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Tommy and Craig are back on the road,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24and Anthony feels he can move on, as well.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26I feel great now that I've got the money.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29At last, justice has been done and I'd like to say
0:15:29 > 0:15:33to Tommy and Craig, thank you very much for what you've done.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37I really do appreciate it, and long may you be doing the job..
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Being a sheriff is not always a pleasant or easy job.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52They never know what's going to happen when they arrive
0:15:52 > 0:15:55at the place named on a writ. And although they have a very
0:15:55 > 0:15:58high success rate, there are days when things just don't go their way.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Sheriffs Marc and Tony are about to have one of those days.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Don't really have any details.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11Amount outstanding is £3,381.76
0:16:11 > 0:16:14The claimant, who doesn't want to be identified,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16bought a car from a dealer in the Southeast.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19The buyer alleged the car was faulty
0:16:19 > 0:16:20and won a court judgment,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24but despite the court's decision, the debt was never paid.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27So now, Marc and Tony will pay the dealer a visit.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37It doesn't take long to locate the premises.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38Yeah, it's on your side.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41There it is, there.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Sales office.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47They park their van across the entrance and head in.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- There's a man in the yard... - Are you all right?
0:16:54 > 0:16:58And he isn't pleased to be filmed. He asks the sheriffs to go.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01We're not going anywhere, mate, cos we're from the High Court,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03so, yeah...
0:17:03 > 0:17:05As they make their way towards the office,
0:17:05 > 0:17:07the man runs ahead of them...
0:17:08 > 0:17:11..and locks the door behind him.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Hey, mate, do you want to open the door? Here we go.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17It is them - they've got a Company House certificate on the wall.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21The certificate is in the name of the company they're looking for.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24There's another man inside the office
0:17:24 > 0:17:26and he asks the sheriffs what they've come for.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29You all right?
0:17:29 > 0:17:31We have a High Court writ against the company.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36The man says he's nothing to do with the business
0:17:36 > 0:17:38and that the owner isn't here.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Can you ring him? It's important. We've a High Court writ against him.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45£3,381.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49We just need to speak to him, cos if we don't,
0:17:49 > 0:17:50we'll be taking his cars out of here.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54The man says he'll call the boss and retreats from the window.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Things aren't off to a good start.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Although there's a yard full of valuable vehicles,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02the people inside the office don't seem to want to cooperate
0:18:02 > 0:18:06and our camera is attracting some unwelcome attention.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09They really don't like the camera, do they?
0:18:09 > 0:18:12They're now spraying the cameraman with the jetwash.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16It looks like the sheriffs
0:18:16 > 0:18:19will have to take control of the company's goods.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23As Tony makes a list of cars, Marc's phone rings.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- I don't know.- Oh, that could be him.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Hello?
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Hello? Hello, mate.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Could this be the absent boss?
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Who am I speaking to?
0:18:34 > 0:18:36It's to do with a High Court writ.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Suddenly, a large bucket of water is thrown over our cameraman,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and the camera is disabled.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50A short while later, we continue filming on a mini camera.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Another camera arrives to replace the water-damaged one.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22The sheriffs have now been at the garage for four hours
0:19:22 > 0:19:25and the situation has deteriorated.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27The business has refused to pay
0:19:27 > 0:19:30and the sheriffs have clamped one of the cars.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34Usually, this tactic prompts debtors to try and find some money,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36but today, it's different.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39More people connected to the garage have arrived and one of them
0:19:39 > 0:19:41has parked across the entrance,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44preventing the sheriffs removing any cars.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47They've also chained up the gate with Marc and Tony inside.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Only one thing is going to resolve this situation -
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Tony has called the police.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57But as the sheriffs wait, locked
0:19:57 > 0:20:01uncomfortably inside the premises, there is no sign of the police.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04More time passes and the sheriffs'
0:20:04 > 0:20:08tow trucks have arrived to take cars.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10But there's still no police.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14It's an offence to prevent a sheriff from carrying out his work,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17but people at the garage have no intention of letting Marc
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and Tony take cars.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23With no police to help, Marc thinks the situation can't be saved.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25He is now just looking at getting out.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29We ain't getting nowhere. We're just going to leave.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- They're going to let us out. - Yeah?- Yeah. You go.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Just leave it at that.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- Sorry, guys, but... - No, no, that's fine.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Staff at the garage agree to unlock the gate
0:20:42 > 0:20:45if the sheriffs are only taking control of cars on paper,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48so finally Marc and Tony walk out.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51It's a frustrating end to a long day.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54They've let us out, so...
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Well, to be honest,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59that was probably the most horrendous job I've done in 12,
0:20:59 > 0:21:0113 years of doing the job.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07We ended up getting locked in the yard, we was getting nowhere.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12We've called the police over four hours ago.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14It's just bit of a pain really,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17cos we could have done with actually taking the cars away
0:21:17 > 0:21:21but we've spent a good five hours of our day stuck here
0:21:21 > 0:21:25wanting to enforce the writ which means either collecting the payment
0:21:25 > 0:21:29or taking goods away to cover the debt, so all in all,
0:21:29 > 0:21:30it's been a bit of a bad day.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Sometimes a sheriff as experienced as Marc knows he must admit defeat.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Tony's had enough, he wants to go home.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45And that is where the case ended for the sheriffs.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47After an appeal by the garage,
0:21:47 > 0:21:52the original judgment was set aside and no further action taken.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56So Marc and Tony were only too glad they didn't have to return.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11These days, sheriffs are officially called
0:22:11 > 0:22:13enforcement agents of the High Court.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14Yeah, who are you, sir?
0:22:14 > 0:22:16I've got a High Court writ I'm executing here today.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19We're here to collect £1,930.20.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25It doesn't matter what the dispute is, you have to pay.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28The law's the law...and it applies to everybody.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32They enforce High Court writs
0:22:32 > 0:22:34and also have protection under the law.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Craig, do you want to ring the police?
0:22:36 > 0:22:39This gentleman's stopping me doing my job.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Stop a sheriff from doing his job and you've committed
0:22:42 > 0:22:43a criminal offence.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47We've got a legal document to evict you.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50They can call the police who can arrest you, charge you
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and take you into custody...
0:22:52 > 0:22:56You don't have to say anything but it can harm your defence.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59..leaving the sheriffs to recover the money their clients are owed.
0:22:59 > 0:23:04It's 1,857.90, which needs to be paid today.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06A High Court writ costs £60.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08It's very odd.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11If the sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more to pay.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12Yay!
0:23:12 > 0:23:16And if they're unsuccessful, the only cost is a compliance fee
0:23:16 > 0:23:20of £75 plus VAT for each enforcement.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35It's late morning in Kent.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Kev and Lawrence have already made several visits and they're
0:23:39 > 0:23:43looking to get their teeth into one more before biting into lunch.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48We're on our way to a Miss Meha Surendra Opie.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50But we're actually going to a dental practice.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Generally speaking, dentists have got money.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57So, hopefully, we should be able to clear this up.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59But it's not just cash they can take.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Dental chairs are highly valuable,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05along with some of their other equipment.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Obviously, it tends to be bolted to the floor.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11But this isn't an ordinary case.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Today, the sheriffs are acting on behalf of a company
0:24:13 > 0:24:16they've helped to keep afloat over the years,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18by chasing debts and ensuring they got paid.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23This is Dental Sky in Ashford, Kent.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26It's a small dental wholesalers which supplied dentist
0:24:26 > 0:24:31Meha Opie with consumables and disposable stock for the surgery,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34but were not paid for what they supplied.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Carla Sutcliffe runs the business
0:24:36 > 0:24:38and she's very worried that the unpaid debt
0:24:38 > 0:24:42could have a major impact on the business she has helped to build.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Well, the sheriffs are my last hope on this.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47If they can't collect,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51then I'm going to have some short-term cash flow problems.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56The worst-case scenario is that I potentially may have to
0:24:56 > 0:24:57make people redundant.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Carla's business nearly went under a few years ago.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05The company had several hundred thousand pounds of unpaid debts
0:25:05 > 0:25:09and would have folded, if they hadn't brought in the sheriffs.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13I soon realised that the only way we were going to survive
0:25:13 > 0:25:18was to...pursue these debts.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23We are not a big corporate company, we can't afford to absorb bad debt.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27The sheriffs tracked down much of the money owed to the company.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30It was a life-saver to the 40 people employed here.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Without that, we would never have survived.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37And in the case of Meha Opie the dentist,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39there's nearly £1,200 owed.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43A repayment plan was in place, but it wasn't followed properly.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46So Carla feels she's waited long enough before
0:25:46 > 0:25:47calling in the sheriffs.
0:25:47 > 0:25:53She made an offer to pay £300 a month which I accepted.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58She didn't make the payments so then it had to be pursued.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01The sheriffs are always the last resort.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03I never want to have to go to them,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06but it's a needs-must situation and I know they'll deliver.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18But whether they can deliver or not is now a matter
0:26:18 > 0:26:19for Lawrence and Kev.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21- Here it is.- Indeed it is.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24See if that quizzer's on.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29- Hi there.- Hi, I'm looking for a Ms Meha Surendra Opie.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33She's not here? So, does she actually own the practice?
0:26:34 > 0:26:35So, everything here is hers?
0:26:37 > 0:26:38Excellent.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42If she owns the surgery, then goods here are more likely to be hers
0:26:42 > 0:26:45and the sheriffs could take control of them.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Lawrence quickly gets her number
0:26:47 > 0:26:51so he can explain in person that the sheriffs have come to have a chat.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Hello, is that Ms Meha Opie?
0:26:56 > 0:27:00Good afternoon, my name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement agent.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I'm at your dental practice at the moment.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07I have a High Court writ in favour of Dental Sky Wholesale Ltd.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12And I'm here today to take control of goods to the value of £1,022.91.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17The only way to prevent further action is pay in full.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Lawrence is straight through but there's a problem.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24The dentist says she has been making monthly payments of £300
0:27:24 > 0:27:26as agreed by the court.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Right, so you've paid June, July...?
0:27:29 > 0:27:32And that's it, you've not paid August yet?
0:27:32 > 0:27:35OK, bear with me, what I'll do, I've got your number,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37I'm going to get in touch with my office and find out what's going on
0:27:37 > 0:27:40and I'll give you a ring back.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41OK? Bye-bye.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46But Kev has a suspicion of what's happened.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48So she, she knew all about it...?
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Yeah, if she's paid late by a day, though,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53she's breached the court order.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56A quick call to the office puts Lawrence in the picture.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57Cheers, bye.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00I found out that at least one of the payments was late,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03there was payment made on the 31st of July, obviously should have been
0:28:03 > 0:28:06the 23rd of July so it looks like she's paying late.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09If a court order says that you pay by that date,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11those funds have to clear by that date.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13So, I'm just going to give her a buzz back.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18With the court order breached, Carla now wants payment in full.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21And whilst Lawrence gives the dentist the bad news,
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Kev has his mind on the backup plan.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25What we'll do is stay on site
0:28:25 > 0:28:27at the moment, just in case she doesn't pay
0:28:27 > 0:28:32and we have to potentially remove goods as there's...I guess there's
0:28:32 > 0:28:35going to be a lot of value here if we need to.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Lawrence has spoken to the dentist and she promised to pay
0:28:38 > 0:28:42the full sum, of over £1,000, straight away.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46She's on the motorway coming down from Derby
0:28:46 > 0:28:49and she's going to pull into motorway services
0:28:49 > 0:28:51so that she can get an internet connection
0:28:51 > 0:28:55and make a payment online...um...
0:28:56 > 0:28:58A little while ago I spoke to her, now.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02Straight to voicemail.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06With no further word on payment,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Kev decides to see exactly what assets are here.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14Pretty sure that on its own will be more than enough to cover the amount
0:29:14 > 0:29:15we're after at the moment.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18But as Lawrence said, he'll have to unbolt the chair from the floor
0:29:18 > 0:29:21if it's to be taken.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Outside, Lawrence is back in touch with the debtor.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27She says she's paid the full amount to clear the debt.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Right, what I'll do, I'll just give my office a ring
0:29:30 > 0:29:31just to confirm that
0:29:31 > 0:29:34and then I'll leave some paperwork and a receipt for you
0:29:34 > 0:29:37in a sealed envelope with your receptionist.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39OK? Thanks. Bye-bye.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45A quick check reveals the account is now settled.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Lawrence doesn't understand
0:29:48 > 0:29:51why people don't run their accounts more carefully.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54One of the payments was late, at least one of them,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57so she was in breach of the court order, basically,
0:29:57 > 0:29:58so the full amount was due.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01She pulled into the motorway services where she could get
0:30:01 > 0:30:04a signal on her computer, went on to our online card payment system
0:30:04 > 0:30:05and paid in full online.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07If you've got the money to pay a debt you should just pay it,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10because if you opt to pay by instalments and it's down to you
0:30:10 > 0:30:15to make the payments and you miss an instalment, then you leave yourself
0:30:15 > 0:30:18open to due legal process and we can be knocking on your door.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21So if you've got the money to pay a debt, why not just pay it?
0:30:24 > 0:30:27It's been another good day for Lawrence and Kev.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31But more importantly, it means Carla Sutcliffe's Dental Sky in Kent
0:30:31 > 0:30:34getting back the money that they're owed.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38Absolutely delighted and it's a huge relief.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42They were able to recover...
0:30:42 > 0:30:45It was about £1,200 which doesn't sound like a lot of money
0:30:45 > 0:30:50to some people...um...but now, it means I can pay a few bills,
0:30:50 > 0:30:55but it also means that we can continue trading...confidently.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00I would urge all small businesses
0:31:00 > 0:31:02not to try and deal with debt on your own.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04It's really not worth it.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07There is somebody out there that can help you.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10It's just learning how to go through the process
0:31:10 > 0:31:12and not being frightened of it.
0:31:25 > 0:31:30For a £60 fee, the sheriffs can enforce a High Court writ,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33and that means they're out trying to get people the money they're owed,
0:31:33 > 0:31:34whatever the weather.
0:31:36 > 0:31:41We're out this morning on this very cold wintry morning in a little
0:31:41 > 0:31:45place near Worcester. We're out to see a limited company called
0:31:45 > 0:31:50Rhino Recycling Ltd, near enough £7,700 balance on the account.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55But this isn't the first time Craig has driven down this road.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00I've personally been here before, took control of goods and entered
0:32:00 > 0:32:03into an arrangement with the director of the company
0:32:03 > 0:32:04to pay £1,000 a week.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Um...he paid me £1,600 on the day but unfortunately,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10since then, he's failed to maintain his arrangement,
0:32:10 > 0:32:12hence the reason why me and Tommy are back.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25On arrival at the site, there's a locked gate between the sheriffs
0:32:25 > 0:32:27and the company they're after.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31They have the authority to gain access by climbing the fence -
0:32:31 > 0:32:33it's part of their power as sheriffs.
0:32:33 > 0:32:34But on this cold and frosty day,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37they are going for a different tactic.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41So the plan is just to sort of hang back here at the moment, hoping that
0:32:41 > 0:32:44somebody will come onto the estate or come out of the estate
0:32:44 > 0:32:48so therefore, the gates will automatically open.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50And then we can gain our entry that way.
0:32:53 > 0:32:54There's a car coming.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57Can you just follow him in?
0:32:57 > 0:33:03Yeah, yeah. Not yet, not yet, wait until...and go.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Craig's tactic has worked,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08and its a bit more subtle than scaling the fence.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Craig and Tommy are in.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Time to find out why the company has stopped paying as per
0:33:13 > 0:33:15the agreement from Craig's last visit.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18See the white lorry there? That's their truck.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19That's the little hut there?
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Yeah, that's his office. And this is all of it.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26It's a large open-air recycling site for industrial companies.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28It stinks, doesn't it?
0:33:28 > 0:33:32But the sheriffs head straight to the nerve centre - this hut.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- Hello, sir.- Hello, mate. - Is the director about at all?
0:33:35 > 0:33:37- No, I'm afraid. - Can he be contacted at all?
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Don't care, can we have him out, please?
0:33:40 > 0:33:43They ask us to leave the hut, but Craig and Tommy investigate
0:33:43 > 0:33:46why the agreement to pay is not being kept to.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49And after a bit of negotiation,
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Tommy thinks they're getting somewhere.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57Craig spoke to the director, who he spoke to on his previous visit,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00explained that he signed the controlled goods agreement,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02he hasn't made the payments, needs to pay in full.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06The director is having two teeth out quite urgently this morning,
0:34:06 > 0:34:08just about to get to the dentist.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11He says he can pay £1,000.
0:34:11 > 0:34:16With £1,000 today and £1,600 paid on Craig's previous visit,
0:34:16 > 0:34:20they will still need nearly £5,000 to clear the debt.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22If the cash isn't available on the day,
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Craig will look at taking control
0:34:24 > 0:34:28of any expensive plant equipment the company may have.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31That means it can be sold at auction to clear a debt.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34But Craig will have to prove it belongs to the company.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37He's also saying that everything here is on finance.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40He's not supplied that evidence which he should have done
0:34:40 > 0:34:42when the goods were taken control of.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44But we will still look at it.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47So he's got an employee in there digging out the information
0:34:47 > 0:34:49about everything being on finance.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52I mean, if everything is on finance, then obviously
0:34:52 > 0:34:57we need to renegotiate, maybe look at accepting what he's got today
0:34:57 > 0:34:59and getting him back into an agreement.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01It can go either way at the minute -
0:35:01 > 0:35:02if all stacks up and it is on finance,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05there is no nothing we can legally remove.
0:35:05 > 0:35:06In the hut,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Craig is with company staff as they look through their records
0:35:09 > 0:35:13to find any credit agreements for the equipment that is here.
0:35:13 > 0:35:14The sheriffs are hoping to prove
0:35:14 > 0:35:17that some of it is owned by the company.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Craig's just going through some paperwork with the gentleman
0:35:22 > 0:35:27but at the moment, it's looking like anything of any real monetary value
0:35:27 > 0:35:30is on a lease or an agreement.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33We're still going to be getting some money today,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35we're just going to keep pressing and getting as much as we can today
0:35:35 > 0:35:38and then probably look at getting him back on an agreement but
0:35:38 > 0:35:41obviously we're not going to let him know that yet until we've gone
0:35:41 > 0:35:44through all the paperwork with a fine-tooth comb.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49But the sheriffs want the maximum for their client.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Craig is going to check the site for any unlisted gear...
0:35:57 > 0:36:01..which gives Tommy a chance to attend to more personal matters.
0:36:03 > 0:36:08It's a beard comb. Just to keep myself well groomed, you know?
0:36:11 > 0:36:14And while Tommy is thorough with his grooming,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Craig's examination of the records has revealed that there might
0:36:17 > 0:36:20be a few items the sheriffs can take control of.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23Unfortunately for them, there are some assets which aren't on finance,
0:36:23 > 0:36:27which we are liable to take today - this was the office furniture and
0:36:27 > 0:36:30a few items of plant.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33The sheriffs have the power to search the site.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35By finding the equipment the company does own,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Craig is in a stronger position to push them
0:36:38 > 0:36:41to make a decent cash offer to get the debt paid.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43And that's what he's now doing.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44Inside the hut,
0:36:44 > 0:36:48he's managed to get a better offer than their original £1,000.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52However, it's not a paid in full, or PIF for short.
0:36:52 > 0:36:58So, we've come to an arrangement today to pay £2,000 today,
0:36:58 > 0:37:00£2,700 in a weeks' time,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03£1,500 a week after that,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06and the remaining £1,500 a week after that.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09So all in all, in four weeks' time, it will be paid.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12As happy as we can be today - obviously it's not a PIF but it's
0:37:12 > 0:37:16a result with the situation we had. So...yeah, happy.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Let's go.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Rhino Recycling later failed to keep up repayments
0:37:23 > 0:37:24via the sheriffs
0:37:24 > 0:37:27and the team are awaiting instructions from their client.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Sheriffs Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild are heading into central Nottingham
0:37:41 > 0:37:45looking for a place that's rumoured to do the best sandwiches in town.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47But they won't be trying them.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51Right, so, we're in Nottingham today, off to see Brown Betty's,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53it's a sandwich bar.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56The claimant itself is a company called Manor Foods, we understand
0:37:56 > 0:37:59that they probably supply food to these premises.
0:37:59 > 0:38:04We've had a little look at it on the internet, it looks quite popular,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08it's got some good write-ups about their sandwiches and breakfasts
0:38:08 > 0:38:10they do, so they seem to do quite well.
0:38:10 > 0:38:16The debt itself is quite large, it's just short of £15,000,
0:38:16 > 0:38:18so not a small amount of money.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21So the intention is to gain access
0:38:21 > 0:38:25as quick as we can, and see where we go from there.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Hopefully might get a paid in full.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31Debts or not, Craig has fond memories of Nottingham.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37Back in the day, it was quite a good nightlife.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40The ratio was always quite good in Nottingham...
0:38:40 > 0:38:44Colleagues told me it was about six to one, and I couldn't believe that
0:38:44 > 0:38:48but when I found myself here on a few nights, it wasn't a six to one,
0:38:48 > 0:38:49it was a good five.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54And the nightclubbing lifestyle has been good to Craig.
0:38:54 > 0:39:01I did meet my wife in a nightclub, but not up here, in Birmingham.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Been happily married ever since. So...yeah.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Yeah?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09But his relationship with his other partner
0:39:09 > 0:39:12is getting off to a bad start today.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Why don't you take one for the team? I did yesterday.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19I ain't paying again. I ain't paying for parking every day.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20Lend me four quid.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23I paid £6 yesterday.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27He don't like parting with money, our Wild.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31He's collected millions in unpaid debts over the years,
0:39:31 > 0:39:35but putting small change into a parking machine has stumped Craig.
0:39:35 > 0:39:36Welcome to Nottingham.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39- Eh?- Oh, geez!
0:39:39 > 0:39:42What's the problem? It ain't rocket science, son.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47- Nah. Can't do it.- Why? - Won't accept the money.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Check tariff, put the money in, press the green button.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54Do that then. There you go. Press green.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Yeah. That's green, yes, isn't it?
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Finally, they're parked up legitimately.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01- Done?- We're in, we're in.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Now they can get on with the job at the sandwich shop.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16It's a busy place and the sheriffs don't want to interrupt them
0:40:16 > 0:40:19from serving customers.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21# Whoa Brown Betty, bam ba lam. #
0:40:21 > 0:40:23You all right? Is the boss about?
0:40:24 > 0:40:27You're all bosses? Is there anywhere I can have a word in private?
0:40:27 > 0:40:29I can come out the back if you want me to,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31I'll explain everything to you.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37- I'll wait here.- If there's only room for two it's fine.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Tommy moves out of the way of paying customers
0:40:40 > 0:40:43as our camera is asked to wait outside.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48Being asked to pay almost £15,000 is a shock for any small business.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50And whilst Tommy explains,
0:40:50 > 0:40:55Craig stays inside to get an idea of what assets might be in the shop.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59The sheriffs need to see what money, if any, they can get today.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02It's all down to the sheriffs' negotiating skills
0:41:02 > 0:41:05but the staff are saying there's no way they can pay.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08They seem to be like a family-run business, they've been here
0:41:08 > 0:41:10in excess of 30 years, trading.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15Tom is explaining the situation to them now.
0:41:15 > 0:41:16We want to be as discreet as possible,
0:41:16 > 0:41:18they're a small family-run business,
0:41:18 > 0:41:20so we don't want to affect it too much.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Absolute maximum I can get is £1,000 today.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25There's limited assets. I've explained you're going
0:41:25 > 0:41:26to come in now - be very discreet,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29list some items, do it from the other side if you can.
0:41:29 > 0:41:30I've done most of it.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Have you done most of it? If you can just do that for me, I'm going to do
0:41:33 > 0:41:36the rest of the paperwork in there.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Can I have a receipt book as well, mate?
0:41:39 > 0:41:43While some jobs require them to deal with confrontational non-payers,
0:41:43 > 0:41:47the sheriffs can see the sandwich shop needs more careful handling.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51They realise that if they take too much cash or stock from the shop,
0:41:51 > 0:41:55then the business won't be able to make any money from customers.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59That would mean the nearly £15,000 debt won't get paid.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03And after further discussions inside, the till is opening.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05They've agreed to make a payment.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08Tommy and Craig's softer approach has got a result,
0:42:08 > 0:42:12and the sheriffs are leaving without removing a single bread roll.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Yeah, that went fine, they got as much money as they can which was
0:42:16 > 0:42:20£1,000 cash today, which we're quite happy with. Took control of the
0:42:20 > 0:42:24rest of the goods on site, got a CGA, controlled goods agreement signed.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28They're going to forward a proposal into the office within 24 hours.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32They're all quite compliant, no aggression at all,
0:42:32 > 0:42:37being a sandwich bar, very little assets within the premises
0:42:37 > 0:42:40and what assets they had were of minimal value.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43It is a small business, they'd rather keep it running
0:42:43 > 0:42:45so they can get this debt paid.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48To do that, we took the part payment
0:42:48 > 0:42:50and looked to give them the agreement.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Good result for the sheriffs and hopefully another happy claimant.
0:42:53 > 0:42:58The sandwich shop later agreed to pay £500 a month
0:42:58 > 0:43:00to clear the remaining debt.