0:00:02 > 0:00:04If you're owed money but aren't getting paid,
0:00:04 > 0:00:05it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14They're enforcement agents of the High Court.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15HE RINGS DOORBELL
0:00:15 > 0:00:18And if a court's ruled in your favour, they're on your side.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22If the debtor doesn't want to pay...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25You currently owe £9,461.80.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29If you don't come to the door,
0:00:29 > 0:00:31we'll have to remove the vehicle off the drive.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Whether it's a small company...
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- Can I speak to the person in charge, please?- ..or a household name...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41We're here to see someone from G4S.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44..if they owe you money, the sheriffs get it paid.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I'm not going anywhere, you get him to come in here.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49We're not going to be waiting around like that, it needs to be done now.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51I just collected 42 grand.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Coming up, Kevin Emmerson was left financially crippled
0:00:58 > 0:01:00after he was sold an unroadworthy car.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I was mad. I was mad because I'm going to be stuck with this now
0:01:03 > 0:01:04for the rest of my life.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08You just can't pick £4,500 up.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10The sheriffs pay the dealer a visit...
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- How are you? Is the boss about? - He's not here yet.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15..but will they be able to get Kevin's money back?
0:01:15 > 0:01:17The yard is quite fully stocked with motors.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21And the sheriffs are called on
0:01:21 > 0:01:23to remove a group of squatters...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- Wake up!- Wakey-wakey! You're being evicted.
0:01:26 > 0:01:27Hard night?
0:01:27 > 0:01:31..but will they be able to save a valuable and unusual artwork?
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Definitely the dearest and valuable door I've had to deal with.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41The air turns blue when we visit a car dealer's in Wales.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49Definitely an angry man.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58It's a wet and windy winter's morning.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03Enforcement Agents Craig Wild and Tommy Coyle are heading to Derby.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06They've got a writ to enforce against a car dealership
0:02:06 > 0:02:08with a bit of a reputation.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10It's called Derby Car Centre Ltd.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14We're here on behalf of Mr Kevin Emmerson.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18He bought a car from this company, it wasn't fit for purpose.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Mr Emmerson took the company to court,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and despite winning a judgment in his favour, he's not been paid.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27We're here now to enforce that order,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29which is just short of £5,500.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36The claimant, Kevin Emmerson, is a farm worker.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39And his troubles with the car dealer's began
0:02:39 > 0:02:42when he needed to buy a new vehicle for work.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45I wanted a 4x4, because I need to be able to
0:02:45 > 0:02:48get up and down fields and that,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50even with my job at the farm.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53After seeing an advert, Kevin went to Derby Car Centre.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55His first impressions were good,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59and on the forecourt he saw a Hyundai which he liked the look of.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03He started the car up, it sounded all right and it looked all right.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05And I told him I'd have the car,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08providing they delivered it to Bolsover, to my house. I paid...
0:03:10 > 0:03:14..£2,995,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17but they took my car in part exchange.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The car was delivered to Kevin's house as promised.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23But when he drove it, he immediately found problems.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27There was a noise coming from the gearbox, the clutch was slipping.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Another problem with the car was the light
0:03:30 > 0:03:33on the dashboard from the airbag.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Kevin was worried, so he took the car to a local garage
0:03:36 > 0:03:38to have it properly checked over.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41And what they found was worse than he had feared.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44There was oil coming out from under the gearbox.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47The clutch was about worn out,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50plus the car was pulling to the middle of the road.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53The garage told me,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56"It's not roadworthy, don't drive it."
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Kevin couldn't believe it.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01I was mad. I was mad.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06I'd just spent £2,500 on a car which I couldn't drive.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Kevin contacted Derby Car Centre to complain.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12They offered to look at the car if he returned it.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17He told them it couldn't be driven, but that fell on deaf ears.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20And all they kept saying was, "I'll have a word with the gaffer
0:04:20 > 0:04:22"and get back to you." And they never got back.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26No matter how many times I rung, they just didn't want to know.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31As he needed a car for work, Kevin had to borrow money
0:04:31 > 0:04:32to buy another one,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35while also paying to have the unroadworthy Hyundai
0:04:35 > 0:04:37stored at the local garage.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42His sister-in-law Sue decided enough was enough,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45and began to intervene on his behalf.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49I just thought it would be a simple matter of writing a letter
0:04:49 > 0:04:52to Derby Car Centre and they'd play ball.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53So that's what I did.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56I sent a letter, no response.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59So we followed it up with a second letter, "letter before action",
0:04:59 > 0:05:03all advised by Trading Standards.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04Still no response.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08In the end, Sue managed to get hold of the company boss,
0:05:08 > 0:05:09Mark Whitfield, by e-mail.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13He offered to collect the car, but then didn't turn up.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16He kept promising dates he'd come and collect the vehicle,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19he let the garage down, the storage garage,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22then he started with different excuses,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25"I can't come and collect it, you didn't tell me it was unroadworthy."
0:05:25 > 0:05:28I said, "Of course we did, you had the report from the garage."
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Eventually, the car was collected from the garage,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33but it had been there so long,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Kevin had to pay a massive bill.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40Price of the storage by the time they fetched the car was £1,620.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Now that Derby Car Centre had the vehicle back,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Sue rang up to demand a refund.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50But it seems the company had other ideas.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53And he said they're going to repair it
0:05:53 > 0:05:58and sell it, then we'll get the proceeds of what's left,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00minus the depreciation of the vehicle,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02because it's been stood a long while.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04The Emmersons weren't happy.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Even if they did get some proceeds from the sale,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Kevin was going to be substantially out of pocket.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13I'd bought the car with money that I've saved.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15And then I find myself in a position where then I had to go
0:06:15 > 0:06:18and borrow some money to buy another car.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20I'm going to be stuck with this now for the rest of my life,
0:06:20 > 0:06:24because you just can't pick £4,500 up.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29And the stress was starting to take its toll on his health.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33I'd never had no problems with sleeping or anything
0:06:33 > 0:06:35until I bought that car.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37And, you see, after that...
0:06:39 > 0:06:41..my head was just filling up with it.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43There was only one thing for it.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Sue helped Kevin to file a claim
0:06:45 > 0:06:48against Derby Car Centre in the county court.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51And after doing some research, she discovered this wouldn't be
0:06:51 > 0:06:53the first time the business was in court.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56I thought, "They're not a very good company."
0:06:56 > 0:06:59So I started looking into them.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05And I found out Mark Whitfield had got a court order from 2013.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Derby Car Centre had been the subject of 181 complaints
0:07:08 > 0:07:12to the city council over a two-and-a-half-year period.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Mark Whitfield was served with an order under the Enterprise Act,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18compelling him to play by the rules or face jail.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23As for the Emmersons, Kevin won a judgment by default,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27after Derby Car Centre didn't offer a defence.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29They were ordered to pay him back the price of the car,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32as well as costs incurred.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Naively, I thought they'd do the right thing.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37You know, I thought they'd just give him his money back.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39They'd do anything but that.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Derby Car Centre later applied to have the judgment set aside,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45only then missed the hearing.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Kevin and Sue still haven't seen a penny
0:07:47 > 0:07:50and now they're turning to the sheriffs.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54I think the last resort, it's the High Court sheriffs.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56I've seen how they go about their business.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58I think they're the people you need
0:07:58 > 0:08:00to be assured of getting your money back.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Tommy and Craig are on their way to Derby Car Centre.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Keep it on the left, left, left.
0:08:11 > 0:08:12From the sheriffs' research,
0:08:12 > 0:08:16it sounds like not only is Kevin one of many unhappy customers,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20but the manager is no stranger to the occasional TV appearance.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22He was on Rogue Traders.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24So he's quite familiar with the cameras...
0:08:26 > 0:08:29..and obviously having people coming to see him with a complaint or two.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33But what will Mr Whitfield make of the sheriffs?
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Derby Car Centre. Nice big sign there on the left.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40Let's get it done.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43The sheriffs head for the office, and are met at the door.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44You all right?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47How are you? Is the boss about?
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Is he not? Can you get him on the phone? Cheers.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Mark Whitfield isn't here, so the sheriffs explain to the staff member
0:08:55 > 0:08:56they're here to collect a debt.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58We need that paid today.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- Fine.- Obviously, the quicker it's paid, we'll be out of here.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- The man goes to get the boss on the phone...- No problem.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07..while Craig eyes up the assets.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09The yard is quite fully stocked with motors.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Doesn't mean to say that all these vehicles
0:09:12 > 0:09:14are all bought and paid for outright.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18A lot of these businesses tend to work on a finance deal.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21But all the sheriffs would need to find is one or two cars
0:09:21 > 0:09:24owned by Derby Car Centre that they could remove,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28and that'd be enough to cover the debt if it came to it.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- I can see you in that, Wild. - The Boxster?- Yeah.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- I can't afford cars like that.- It's got you all over it, that, though. - HE LAUGHS
0:09:35 > 0:09:37The white one looks nice, actually, to be fair though.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- The soft-top one.- What is that?
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- A Beemer, or something? - Is it a Beemer or an Audi?
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Craig goes for a closer look,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48just to check whether he can afford an upgrade.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Quite like the Audi. The Audi there.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53But at £23,000, it's well out of my league.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57I'll stick to my old, little banger.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Back in the office, the employee's got someone on the phone.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06But it's not the boss, Mark Whitfield, it's his solicitor.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08She says she's appealing the judgment
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and doesn't think they have to pay today.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Tommy tries to convince her that they do.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18Until you actually go to court, and have the hearing and win,
0:10:18 > 0:10:22it's still a live High Court order, and we'll have to execute it today.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26The solicitor is now talking about making a last-minute application
0:10:26 > 0:10:28to the court to grant a stay of execution -
0:10:28 > 0:10:31which would postpone any enforcement action.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35But Tommy isn't planning to leave today without the money.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37The money is held for 14 days by the Sheriffs Office
0:10:37 > 0:10:40before it goes to the claimant.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44So if you could get a hearing in that time, and you do win the case,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47then obviously the money wouldn't go over.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49I will, I'll put you back on to him now.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Derby Car Centre has now got a choice -
0:10:52 > 0:10:54pay the sheriffs the full amount owed,
0:10:54 > 0:10:58or else they could see one of the cars on the forecourt removed.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01It only takes ten minutes to decide.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04The director of the company has authorised somebody
0:11:04 > 0:11:07to come down here with the money. In cash.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09But will they be true to their word?
0:11:09 > 0:11:12After everything they'd heard about Derby Car Centre,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15the sheriffs had expected to have a battle on their hands.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Now it looks like the company's about to pay up without a whimper.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23And, just as promised, a bundle of cash soon arrives.
0:11:25 > 0:11:31Tommy and Craig count it out - £5,478.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34After months of the Emmersons trying to get their money back,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37a visit from the sheriffs has sealed the deal.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Though that may not be the end of the story.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41They're going to try and challenge this order,
0:11:41 > 0:11:42which is their legal right to do so.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45But that won't happen today, so, in order for us
0:11:45 > 0:11:48to stop our action, they've paid the money in cash today.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50This gives them then the legal time
0:11:50 > 0:11:52to go back to court and challenge the order.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54And if they win the case, then quite clearly,
0:11:54 > 0:11:55the money will get returned to them.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57But that doesn't happen.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Derby Car Centre Ltd's application
0:11:59 > 0:12:02to have the judgment set aside was rejected.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Received a letter from the sheriffs.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08They've been and fetched the money in full.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Which is a big relief, because now I can pay the storage fee for the car.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14That's something off me mind.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16I can also give my friend his money back,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19which I borrowed to buy this new car.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21So, hopefully now, I'm done.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25The director of Derby Car Centre told us...
0:12:47 > 0:12:49If you've been ripped off,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and the person or company responsible refuses to pay
0:12:52 > 0:12:56you back, the first step is to make a claim in the county court.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59It's simple to do this online for a small fee,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01depending on the size of the claim.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03The court will review the evidence,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07and if it finds in your favour, the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11If they don't, then for a further £66, the High Court will grant
0:13:11 > 0:13:15a writ, authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18If they're successful - you get all your money back.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Lawrence and Kev are racking up the motorway miles.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Writ in hand, they're heading for Wales.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38I don't mind a road trip, to be honest.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40It's, you know, it's just part of the job.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42The debt stems from the purchase
0:13:42 > 0:13:44of a second-hand car from a dealership.
0:13:44 > 0:13:50We are going to Cars R Us on behalf of a Mr Gordon Desborough.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53£1,455.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Car dealerships are usually OK to go to,
0:13:56 > 0:13:57because obviously they've got...
0:13:57 > 0:14:00You presume they've got cars on front,
0:14:00 > 0:14:01so they've got assets there.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03I've had a look at the website,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05and they seem to be decent enough cars that he's got there.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07They're not just old poopers.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10And sure enough, as they approach,
0:14:10 > 0:14:11it's looking good.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Cars R Us, there you go.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- There it is.- Down the end.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19It's a large dealership,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22and it soon becomes clear there are dozens and dozens
0:14:22 > 0:14:24of cars crammed onto the forecourt.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28See what I mean about decent level of stock and decent cars?
0:14:28 > 0:14:32The chances of getting paid this morning are already looking up.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Now they just need to find the owner.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Hello?- Hello, mate.
0:14:38 > 0:14:39Cars R Us, yeah?
0:14:42 > 0:14:46My name is Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48We've got a High Court writ against Cars R Us
0:14:48 > 0:14:52in favour of a Mr Gordon Desborough.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54He was a customer, I would imagine.
0:14:54 > 0:15:01We're here today to take control of goods to the value of £1,455.99.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Is your office up there, is it?
0:15:04 > 0:15:08It's unwelcome news, but if the man's not happy about that,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11it's nothing compared to how he reacts to our camera.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16- All right.- He'll go out.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22The man has gone berserk at the sight of our cameraman,
0:15:22 > 0:15:23who retreats to the car park
0:15:23 > 0:15:26while Lawrence and Kev try to calm the situation down.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Inside, they're told the case against Cars R Us is in dispute,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35because the company were never told about the court hearing.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37They say they're due back in court in a week's time,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41when a judge will decide whether the case can be re-heard.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43But with a live writ in place,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46the sheriffs still need to get paid today.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48If that's not enough to get under the owner's skin,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52our camera's still proving like a red rag to a bull.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03BLEEPING
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Our cameraman is forced to retreat even further,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16while, inside, Lawrence and Kev continue negotiations.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19They explain that as the case hasn't yet been re-heard,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21the original judgment still stands,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24and they're here to collect in full or remove assets.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28It hasn't gone down well.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Yet just 15 minutes after arriving,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Lawrence and Kev are getting back in the van.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Once they're on their way, they reveal what happened inside.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39Definitely an angry man.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41He had one of the shortest fuses,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43if not THE shortest fuse I've ever seen.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45I think within ten seconds
0:16:45 > 0:16:49he'd gone from zero to absolutely spitting feathers.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Coffee cups went up in the air.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54He was effing and blinding and he was up in our faces.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56He wanted to go outside and fight.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00He was so enraged. He was spitting.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02It took a little bit to defuse the situation,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04but it worked out all right in the end. We got paid.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06All's well that ends well.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Cars R Us paid in full.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12The courts rejected the company's application for a set aside,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and Mr Desborough has got his money back.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court Enforcement Agents,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38We don't have to take any notice of your security protocols, I'm afraid.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44£1.6 million.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48Every year, sheriffs enforce more than 70,000 writs
0:17:48 > 0:17:50across England and Wales
0:17:50 > 0:17:53and recover more than £75 million.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57I'm here today to take control of goods to the value of £41,086.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59We have to insist on full payment.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Their fees are set by the government,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Thank you very much. See you later.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Sheriff Ken Warby is in Camden in north London.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35He's got a writ to execute against a company
0:18:35 > 0:18:40which provides security services for construction sites.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44We're going to a place called Permanex CCS Group Ltd.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49They've got an outstanding bill for 14.5 grand.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52The money's owed to a sub-contractor
0:18:52 > 0:18:54called Pro-Tex Security Solutions Ltd,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56who didn't get paid.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59They took the case to court and were awarded a judgment
0:18:59 > 0:19:03by default, as Permanex CCS Group Ltd didn't offer a defence.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Today will be the sheriffs' second visit.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10We've previously been before and there was no response.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13So give it another whirl.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Hopefully I'll be more successful.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24When Ken arrives, it looks much like it did last time.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26The shutters are down, but is anyone in?
0:19:30 > 0:19:33There's no response from the intercom.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35The gate, however, is unlocked.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Ken has a nose around the yard, which is full of clutter and junk.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50A door into the unit's been left ajar.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Hello?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54As no-one's answering, he goes in.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55Hello, anyone home?
0:19:57 > 0:20:00It's not what he was expecting to find.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02This is a weird one.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03The place is a complete mess.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05There's nothing around here.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10It's just been abandoned.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Whoever was trading here has definitely gone,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and fairly recently too.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18It's pretty obvious Ken isn't about to get the claimant's money,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20but he does have a look around
0:20:20 > 0:20:23to see if there are any clues to who was here.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Certificate of registration for Clarke Construction Security.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35And there's another one, too, in the name of Permanex UK Ltd.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38That's their company certificate.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Although none exactly match the name Ken's looking for,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43they sound like related companies,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46so it's likely the debtor was here until recently.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49While that's useful info for the file,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52there's not much more Ken can do today besides the formalities.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57I'll take some pictures of this place.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Report this back to the office.
0:21:08 > 0:21:09Right.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Ken finishes up and heads off.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15In his time as a sheriff, he's just about seen it all -
0:21:15 > 0:21:18even so, this strikes him as a bit odd.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20This is a weird one.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Looking upstairs and downstairs, there's rubbish strewn everywhere.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24The gate is not locked.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26We've just come straight through the gate.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28We've gone straight into the unit.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Prime candidate for a squat, actually,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32being in this part of London.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36He's not wrong.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Every year, dozens of buildings across London
0:21:38 > 0:21:40are occupied by squatters.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45And just a few streets away from this abandoned unit,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49another empty building has recently been taken over.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52The sheriffs have been engaged by the landlord
0:21:52 > 0:21:55to help remove the squatters and get the office block back.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Under cover of darkness, the team is gathering.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02I'll just give you a copy of the writ, so you've got one, yeah?
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Squatting in residential premises is a criminal offence
0:22:05 > 0:22:07and the police will take action.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10In commercial premises like this one, it's a civil matter,
0:22:10 > 0:22:14and landlords can get a writ and employ the sheriffs.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Enforcement Agent Mark King is running today's operation.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Possibly about 18 people in there,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24but that was last week, so that's going to change.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25There might not be anybody in there,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27there might be 50.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30There's only one way into the property,
0:22:30 > 0:22:32and he thinks the squatters have barricaded the door.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35We'll have a bit of trouble getting in, I think, this morning.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38It's got a couple of bolts across it, but there's...
0:22:38 > 0:22:43At the bottom, there's a metal bed frame laid on the floor.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45It is only an aluminium bed frame,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48but it stops the door from opening inwards.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51It's much easier for the sheriffs
0:22:51 > 0:22:53if they can surprise the building's inhabitants -
0:22:53 > 0:22:56they'll not have the time to add to the barricade
0:22:56 > 0:22:57or organise any resistance.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Locksmith Andy Marsh has a pneumatic press
0:23:01 > 0:23:03to try and force the door quietly
0:23:03 > 0:23:05without resorting to smashing it down.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Only someone inside is up early and comes to the door.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- SQUATTER:- Hello, guys. - All right, mate?
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Do you wanna open the door, open her up?
0:23:19 > 0:23:20Cheers, mate.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23The squatters realise straightaway what's going on.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Just open the door, mate, and we'll give you enough time
0:23:27 > 0:23:28to get your stuff ready,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31but you need to open the door straightaway.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Go, go, go, go.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36As soon as the door opens, the sheriffs pile in.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38They can't take any risks,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41even if the early riser seems to be cooperating.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Do you want a copy of the paperwork?
0:23:43 > 0:23:45You know the craic, get your stuff.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Upstairs, they set about waking everyone up and moving them out.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Wakey-wakey, you're being evicted.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Come on, mate, wake up.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00We're just doing a quick headcount, find out exactly
0:24:00 > 0:24:05how many people we've got on the premises, give them the time
0:24:05 > 0:24:10to pack their stuff and, yeah, they can leave politely.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13There appear to be only a handful of squatters left,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16and so far, they seem happy to go quietly.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20The only resistance is from one man and he might just not like mornings.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24You need to get up and leave, mate.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Hard night?
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Come on, then, you need to get up and leave.
0:24:31 > 0:24:32Where? Outside.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Come on, get yourself up.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Go and get it then, mate, quickly.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46The sheriffs want people to take as much of their stuff
0:24:46 > 0:24:50as possible with them. It avoids arguments over people wanting
0:24:50 > 0:24:52to re-enter the property once it's secure.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56You got all your stuff, sir?
0:24:56 > 0:24:57Have you got all your stuff, yeah?
0:24:57 > 0:24:58- Yeah.- OK, cool.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05But they won't wait forever.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Right, come on, fella, stop looking at it.
0:25:07 > 0:25:08Pick it up and take it out, yeah?
0:25:14 > 0:25:18With most of the former squatters outside and their belongings
0:25:18 > 0:25:20piling up on the pavement, Mark has a chance to
0:25:20 > 0:25:22look around the building.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25This is a new lot, I've not seen this lot before.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30It's not too bad in here though, not a great deal of mess.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38It might look like a pigsty, but the mess is mostly superficial.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Given the damage the sheriffs have seen in other squats,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44the landlord can count themselves relatively lucky.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Outside, tempers are rising.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54OK.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56But it comes to nothing.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59The man, instead, offers the sheriffs his doughnuts.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Meanwhile, Andy's turned his attention to the front door.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Someone's obviously come along and spray-painted
0:26:11 > 0:26:12a picture of Nelson Mandela.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17They want to take the metal steel sheet off the front
0:26:17 > 0:26:20and keep it at home, I guess.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26The painting is by the street artist Bambi, and it appeared
0:26:26 > 0:26:30on the door when the building was still occupied by a courier company.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Now that the building's set for redevelopment,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35the landlord has decided to keep it.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Apparently, it's quite valuable.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39That's an understatement.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Bambi's work has sold for over £100,000
0:26:43 > 0:26:46and this door alone's been valued at 25 grand.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50No wonder the landlord wants to hang on to it.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Certainly is definitely the dearest and valuable door
0:26:53 > 0:26:54that I've had to deal with.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58There's no margin for error.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06But after half an hour of careful grinding and banging,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Andy manages to separate it from the door in one piece.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16A lot easier than what I thought it would be.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Completely different to what we're used to.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Just had to take it a little bit steady.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22So, we've freed Nelson...
0:27:22 > 0:27:23again.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Without its front plate, the door needs a little work
0:27:29 > 0:27:30to make it secure.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35The last thing the sheriffs want is squatters getting back in.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Everything's done, client's got possession back of the property,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41but we are leaving a guard here as well until further notice.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46And with the building secure, it's job done.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50No problems at all, nice and easy.