0:00:02 > 0:00:05If you're owed money but aren't getting paid, it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09- My colleague and I are enforcement agents.- I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the court.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14They're enforcement agents at the High Court,
0:00:14 > 0:00:18and if a court's ruled in your favour, they're on your side.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- If the debtor doesn't want to pay... - You currently owe £9,461.90.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31If you don't open the door, we have to remove the vehicle off the drive.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You're allowed 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 > 0:00:38Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- ..or a household name... - We're here to see somebody 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 > 0:00:48We're not going to be waiting round like that.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50- It needs to be done now. - Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Coming up, Swikruti Soni was left more than £1,000 out of pocket
0:01:00 > 0:01:02after being denied a refund by a dress shop.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05That's like near enough a month's wages for me,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08so it's a lot of money. I was really, really annoyed.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13When Ken goes to meet the boss, it all kicks off.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- God punish you.- BLEEP.- Right.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19All your dresses are now on the floor, OK?
0:01:19 > 0:01:24Turn my back on the debtor and the debtor has just punched me in the head.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28A Soho restaurant hasn't settled a bill for its cleaning,
0:01:28 > 0:01:29but do they have the money to pay?
0:01:29 > 0:01:32If you're telling me you can't pay it today, that's what you're telling me.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35But it's not obvious to me that you can't pay it today.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45This morning, Sheriff Ken Warby is in his home patch, in north London.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47He's heading to Hendon
0:01:47 > 0:01:50to visit a clothing business with an unpaid debt.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54We're going to visit a high street dress shop.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57The claimant is an individual.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02The shop is called Beautiful Dresses
0:02:02 > 0:02:06and is not to be confused with any other company of a similar name.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10It was taken to court by Swikruti Soni,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13a child carer and mum with an eye for a bit of sparkle.
0:02:13 > 0:02:19She came across the shop when she was looking for something special to wear for some important social occasions.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21I had a friend's christening coming up
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and a friend's wedding coming up, both best friends of mine,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and I wanted to make the effort, so I wanted to get something nice,
0:02:27 > 0:02:32so I went on the internet, I found a company called Beautiful Dresses.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34It seemed to be just what she was looking for.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37They were lovely, they were gorgeous dresses.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40They were, like, embellished nice dresses, which I love.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43You can't just get them in, like, an everyday shop, really.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45So I thought I'd order from them.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48In fact, she ordered three, telling the store owner that
0:02:48 > 0:02:51she planned to return one, once she tried them on.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54They didn't come cheap.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58The dresses were over £1,000 for three dresses.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03They were about £300 each, just over £300 each.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06The owner of Beautiful Dresses requested that she
0:03:06 > 0:03:08paid by bank transfer.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10As Swikruti's events were coming up soon,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13she paid extra for next day delivery.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15She didn't send them next day delivery.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Over a week, I was waiting.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23With the events rapidly approaching, Swikruti decided to cancel
0:03:23 > 0:03:27and had to go last-minute shopping for some replacement outfits.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31It was a panic to get it all done. I was fretting.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34As well as having at the back of my mind about this money, trying to get
0:03:34 > 0:03:37this money back as well as trying to find two different outfits.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40So it was a lot of stress.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42She managed to buy the clothes she needed.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46But when it came to cancelling her order with Beautiful Dresses,
0:03:46 > 0:03:47that was a different story.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50When I asked to cancel them, she just refused to cancel them and sent
0:03:50 > 0:03:54me them anyway, even though the christening and the wedding had both gone.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56In fact, only two of the three dresses
0:03:56 > 0:04:00she had paid for ever arrived and they were the wrong size.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05So I was obviously really upset and I was really, really annoyed.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The shop initially agreed to take the dresses back,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10so Swikruti put them in the post.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14But getting the refund she'd been promised turned out not to be
0:04:14 > 0:04:18that simple. First the owner claimed she'd never received them,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20but then appeared to back down.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23At one point, she did say - give me your bank details
0:04:23 > 0:04:25and I'll put the money in, then nothing.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28I constantly rang her, she put the phone down on me.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31That's like near enough a month's wages for me,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33so it's a lot of money to be spending
0:04:33 > 0:04:36for her not to send me the money back.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41In the end, Swikruti had no choice but to take further action.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46I went to Citizens Advice, who recommended Money Claims.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Swikruti used Money Claims online to file a case in the county courts.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Beautiful Dresses didn't defend it,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55so Swikruti won a judgment in her favour.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57But she's still not got her money back
0:04:57 > 0:05:00and has turned to the sheriffs.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03It's definitely my last hope, otherwise the money's just gone.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06There's nothing I can do about it. The money's just gone.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15In London, Ken's approaching the shop
0:05:15 > 0:05:20and is determined to get that money back for her.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23I'm assuming that there's going to be stock in the shop.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24A proper dress shop.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29There should be enough in there for me to get payment in full, I'd say.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33I'm pretty confident before I even get there.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Ken's confidence seems justified as he enters the shop -
0:05:36 > 0:05:39there's clearly value on the rails here.
0:05:41 > 0:05:47- Hello. My name's Mr Warby. Are you the owner of the shop?- No, I'm not.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48Is the owner around?
0:05:48 > 0:05:52She isn't, but the staff member calls her on speakerphone.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53RINGING
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Is it Lili?
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Lilian.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02That's the name I've got down here.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06The boss, Lilian Chidoka, isn't picking up.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11You hang up, let me have a go.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Never know.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19The staff member says her shift ends after lunch and whether or not
0:06:19 > 0:06:23they can reach her, Lilian should be arriving later.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27She's not due here for another hour and a half,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29when she's due to take over from this lady,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32so we're just going to have to wait.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39In the meantime, Ken starts looking through the shop's assets.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40They're certainly not cheap.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44£1,200.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46550.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49420.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Excuse me, madam!
0:06:51 > 0:06:54High value, easily removable goods are ideal
0:06:54 > 0:06:59for the sheriffs. Ken's in a strong position to demand full payment.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03They're all good quality dresses and there's
0:07:03 > 0:07:07a couple of dozen of them as well, so yeah, all good gear.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11The staff member, meanwhile, has got the boss on the phone.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Hello.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19I'm here because we have a judgment against Beautiful Dresses
0:07:19 > 0:07:22from Swikruti Soni.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27Our company sent a notice of enforcement to this
0:07:27 > 0:07:29address on the 10th of March.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Because we haven't had a response from you, I'm here now to
0:07:33 > 0:07:39collect in full and the total I'm looking to collect is £1,658.08.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45Lilian Chidoka says she hasn't got the money to pay.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Yeah, that is unfortunate. If you haven't got it, I'm going
0:07:48 > 0:07:52to have to list the items in the shop and remove them.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57That is the normal procedure, yes.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00The boss tells him that he can't remove her goods.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Ken is entitled to, but doesn't need to
0:08:03 > 0:08:07if he can secure a reasonable payment plan.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Can I just ask you a question? How much do you have to pay now?
0:08:10 > 0:08:13If we have to make the phone call and get goods removed,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15then obviously the costs are going to go up
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and that's what we need to try and avoid.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20What do you have now?
0:08:20 > 0:08:25She says she won't make a part payment of anything.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28There doesn't seem much to be chance of negotiation on the phone
0:08:28 > 0:08:31so Ken lets her know where he stands.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33What I'll do is, I'm going to wait here
0:08:33 > 0:08:35until one o'clock for you to turn up.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38However, I am going to require full payment now, OK?
0:08:38 > 0:08:41I am not walking out of here without this payment.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Or removement of goods. So that's what you need to sort out.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48I'm sorry I can't help you, but we do require payment in full,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52so what I would suggest you do is get payment in full
0:08:52 > 0:08:54and meet me here at one o'clock.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Otherwise, I'll be listing items and we'll be removing them.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03She seems convinced that isn't going to happen.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05We can remove goods.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Yes, first visit, we can remove goods.
0:09:08 > 0:09:09Thank you.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15It hasn't been a very encouraging conversation.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18What she's saying is she wants to enter into an arrangement
0:09:18 > 0:09:21with me and she has nothing at all to pay me today.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23That's not good enough.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27We've got goods in the shop that will fetch the value of the debt,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30so I'm going to start listing the items here.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33She's not due in the shop for another hour.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35By the time she gets here,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38if she hasn't got the payment then goods listed will be removed.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Later, we find out what happens when Ken gets to meet the boss.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- I don't want you here. - I wouldn't do that, if I were you.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00If you've been ripped off and the person or company responsible
0:10:00 > 0:10:01refuses to pay you back,
0:10:01 > 0:10:05the first step is to make a claim in the county court.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08It's simple to do this online, for a small fee,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10depending on the size of the claim.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14The court will review the evidence and if it finds in your favour,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20If they don't, then for a further £60, the High Court will
0:10:20 > 0:10:24grant a writ, authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27If they're successful, you get all your money back.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33In the capital,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Lawrence and Kev are heading in to the heart of the West End.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39They're on their way to a job that's going to turn out
0:10:39 > 0:10:40trickier than expected.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44We're in the middle of town today. Going in to Soho.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46We're actually going to Soho Restaurants Ltd,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49and it is a restaurant we're going to.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53They owe £5,259 for cleaning services that have been provided
0:10:53 > 0:10:56to the restaurant that haven't been paid for.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58To recover the money it's owed,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01the cleaning company has taken the restaurant to court
0:11:01 > 0:11:04and won a default judgment when the case wasn't defended.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07The sheriffs are eager to try to get it paid
0:11:07 > 0:11:12and the snail pace traffic en route to the job is trying their patience.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17Absolutely abysmal. I detest driving in central London.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- Eventually, they pull into the right road.- Parking suspended.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- Can't park here, but... - It's that one on the corner.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I'll just wait here. We're not getting a ticket as well as sitting in traffic all day.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34The company they're looking for is based at a restaurant called
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Maison Touareg. Lawrence makes his introductions.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Hello, there.- Hi.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I'll show you some ID. My name's Mr Grix.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46I'm an enforcement agent.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Are you the boss at all?
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Are you able to get him on the phone?
0:11:51 > 0:11:53I'm here with a High Court writ.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56I'll explain it to your boss on the phone.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Moments later, the staff member returns with the phone
0:11:59 > 0:12:01and Lawrence gets straight to the point.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Hello, sir.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08I'm here today with a High Court writ against Soho Restaurants Ltd.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11I'm ordered to take control of goods to the value of £5,259.51.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14But he's not expecting the boss's response.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Right.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20The boss says he owes thousands for unpaid business rates.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Another debt collection company has already executed a writ
0:12:23 > 0:12:26and taken control of all the goods here.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29It would be one of the more inventive excuses Lawrence
0:12:29 > 0:12:31has heard if it's not true.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- But he needs to make sure.- Right. Have you got a copy of that here?
0:12:34 > 0:12:37As it stands at the moment, unless I see copies of this paperwork,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39then I'm going to take control of the goods.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43The man says it's obvious he can't pay. Lawrence isn't so sure.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46If you're telling me you can't pay today, that's what you're
0:12:46 > 0:12:51telling me, but it's not obvious to me that you can't pay today.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54If the goods have already been taken into control by someone else,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Lawrence can't touch them.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00That means he won't have much leverage to get the debt paid.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04And he might have to walk out empty-handed.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07While the staff member goes to see if he can find the paperwork,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Lawrence makes some enquiries of his own.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13I'm going to make a phone call.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16The world of High Court enforcement is a small one
0:13:16 > 0:13:19and Lawrence knows just about everyone in the business.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21All right, Dave? How are you?
0:13:21 > 0:13:24I was just phoning cos I think I'm... Well, I am on your patch.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27The other agent confirms his company's already been
0:13:27 > 0:13:31to the restaurant, just as the staff member brings through the paperwork.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35Lawrence can only hope they've left something valuable off the list.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Right, OK.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41He basically lists all that's in here, the tables, chairs,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44cookers, fridges, everything, really.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47So, nothing left for me, unfortunately, on this occasion.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Lawrence gets back on the phone to the restaurant's boss.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Right, I've seen all the paperwork, so what I'll do,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I'll leave paperwork here with the amount that's owing
0:13:58 > 0:14:02and contact details for me and an e-mail address for the office.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04He's hoping that the boss will come to an arrangement
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- to pay at least something.- Give me a buzz with how much you want to pay.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- But he's not optimistic. - Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- There you go.- And with good reason.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18The outstanding debt on the other one for business rates
0:14:18 > 0:14:21is enormous, compared to ours, so obviously, he's paying that off.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24He wants to pay ours off, so I've left paperwork there and
0:14:24 > 0:14:28he said he'll give me a ring later today with what he proposes to pay.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33Unfortunately, with no goods to take control of, your hands are tied.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36The restaurant boss didn't enter into a payment agreement
0:14:36 > 0:14:38later that day and to date,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41the debt with the cleaning company has not been settled.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court enforcement agents,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05£1.6 million.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Every year, sheriffs enforce more than 70,000 writs across England
0:15:09 > 0:15:12and Wales and recover more than £75 million.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17I'm here today to take control of goods to the value of £41,086.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19We have to insist on full payment.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Their fees are set by the Government,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25which debtors have to pay, on top of what they already owe.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Thank you very much. See you later.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Back in north London,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Ken's in a shop in Hendon called Beautiful Dresses.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47He's spoken to the owner, who told him
0:15:47 > 0:15:50she isn't going to pay the £1,658
0:15:50 > 0:15:53owed to former customer Swikruti Soni.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58While he waits for her to arrive, he's checking out
0:15:58 > 0:16:01what's available if he needs to take control of goods.
0:16:03 > 0:16:09Well, I'm struggling between pink, cerise, beige and salmon.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11But we're getting there.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15I used to work in a paint shop, so I know the range of colours.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17A skill he's keen to demonstrate.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20We're getting there. Arsenal red.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23A nice turquoise one for a change.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Where was I? In the middle of turquoise, red and plum.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37But he's not quite so au fait with the specifics of ladies' fashion.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39What would you call that?
0:16:41 > 0:16:43That's not a dress. What would you call...?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47A cape.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Thank you.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52OK.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Cape.
0:16:53 > 0:16:5835-40 dresses, ranging retail
0:16:58 > 0:17:02price from £1,200
0:17:02 > 0:17:06to £350.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11As they won't fetch anything like that at auction,
0:17:11 > 0:17:12Ken is listing enough of them
0:17:12 > 0:17:16to guarantee they'd raise a sum which would cover the full debt.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18He's hoping it won't come to that
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and the shop will make an offer of payment instead.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26Have to see what the lady can come up with when she turns up.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29She previously told me she had no money, so that's not good.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Hopefully, we'll get it resolved.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Ken's been in the shop for a little over an hour when the boss arrives.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Hello.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44She immediately asks our camera to leave and the shutters come down.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Inside, Ken explains he really is going to remove her dresses
0:17:51 > 0:17:54if she can't come up with some money.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57She doesn't think he can.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01And invites us back in to explain.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04What he's trying to do is remove goods first visit.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08He's not supposed to remove goods first visit, it's never done.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10That's what he's trying to do.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14In fact, enforcement agents are entitled to remove
0:18:14 > 0:18:15goods on a first visit.
0:18:15 > 0:18:21The debtor didn't make an arrangement within the seven days after the notice of enforcement,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24so now it's down to the sheriff's discretion to decide the best
0:18:24 > 0:18:28course of action to get their claimant's money back.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Ken, meanwhile, has made the mistake of nipping out to his car.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Ms Chidoka tries to shut him out.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38You're not locking me out.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Call the police, first.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44With Ken back safely inside the shop, Lilian continues.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46You make an arrangement, OK?
0:18:46 > 0:18:50And then if you breach the arrangement, you come back the first
0:18:50 > 0:18:53time, if you breach the arrangement, you come back the second time.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55The third time, that's when you remove goods.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57He doesn't know his job. Film him.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Look at him. He doesn't know what he's doing.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03You don't remove goods first visit.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05You don't. It's never done.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15But Ken isn't on the phone to one of his wives or girlfriends.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18I'm executing a High Court writ of control at a shop.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22I just need a police officer here to prevent a breach of the peace.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24The woman is already agitated,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28and Ken doesn't want to see the situation deteriorate further.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30They will be here within the hour.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34They are going to turn up here, just to prevent a breach of the peace,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36so I'm able to remove these dresses myself.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41I understand that. That's fine.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Convinced she's right,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49the shop owner has decided to start filming herself.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52The third time, that's when they remove goods.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54They are here for the first time and he's planning to remove goods.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57It's never done. It's against the law.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59I watched... What do you call that programme again?
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- The Sheriffs Are Coming.- ..The Sheriffs Are Coming, I watch it too.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05And what the bailiffs normally say - OK, they list the items and make
0:20:05 > 0:20:08an arrangement with the debtor, I am putting this on YouTube, I will send
0:20:08 > 0:20:13a copy to you, BBC, and I will send a copy to David Cameron's office.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Once again, Ken's taken the opportunity to pop out
0:20:19 > 0:20:21to his car to pick up some more paperwork.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25The shop owner thinks she sees a second chance to lock him out.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- I don't want you here. - I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39What will you do?
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I don't want you here, you have to leave.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Ms Chidoka has no right to lock Ken out of the shop,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53and it's an arrestable offence to obstruct him in his work.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59With the atmosphere fragile, it's to his considerable relief
0:20:59 > 0:21:02when the police arrive.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- The lady owes some money. I've got a High Court writ of control.- Yeah.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07She's unable to pay any money.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11That's the actual copy of the order, court order.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Gives us authority to remove goods.
0:21:14 > 0:21:20It's the duty of a police officer to assist an enforcement agent in the execution of a writ.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Ken explains what he's going to do.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26My job is, I'm going to remove these dresses,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30some of the dresses over there, into the boot of my car,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32leave the lady a receipt for everything.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Then my job here is done.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37You will go one by one listing, which is done, understand?
0:21:37 > 0:21:40The woman is still complaining about procedure.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46She is convinced Ken isn't allowed to take her goods away today.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50I want somebody that knows the law,
0:21:50 > 0:21:54a police officer that knows the law and knows where I'm coming from.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57This is the first visit. You give the person writ of control,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59which means the control of those goods.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03And then I make an arrangement with them to pay. You understand?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06A writ of control, however, is a civil matter
0:22:06 > 0:22:09and the police officer's only role is to prevent anything
0:22:09 > 0:22:12stopping Ken from carrying out his duty.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14For all her talk of an arrangement,
0:22:14 > 0:22:19she's refusing to offer any payment and Ken is left with little choice.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23The lady's been told a long time ago this stuff is going to go.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26She's still not come up with anything, not a penny.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30I was hoping she was going to come up with something, but she hasn't.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34So, you know, she's already tried to lock me out of the shop as well.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37So as far as I'm concerned, the stuff's going in the back
0:22:37 > 0:22:40of the vehicle and it's being taken to an auction house.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Going to get that done now.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Is this the door you tried to slam in my face?
0:22:51 > 0:22:53You were forcing it.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Ken's not in the mood for further arguments.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59He wants her goods and he wants to get out of here.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02It's amazing what you can get in these estate cars.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Start getting these dresses out now.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07No sooner has he got the first few in the boot
0:23:07 > 0:23:11and the shop owner is trying to take them back.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Ken puts the second load in the back-seat.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Removed goods are sold at public auction
0:23:33 > 0:23:37and rarely reach anything like their retail value.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42So Ken is having to take dresses worth far more than the debt.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45But first, Ken has to find an auction house which would take them.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48It sounds like the office has found one.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Perfect.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Right.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Hampstead? Even closer, yeah.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59These will all be hanging up in about half an hour.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Ken heads back in to remove the last of the dresses.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09But Ms Chidoka has other ideas.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:24:17 > 0:24:20You've just assaulted him in front of two police officers.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23You have done exactly what we're here to prevent.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25All your dresses are now on the floor, OK?
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Ken's pretty taken aback.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36I was just grabbing some dresses, turned my back on the debtor
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and the debtor has just punched me in the head.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43From behind. So, she's just locked herself in a room at the back now.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45My job here is done.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48But she's just assaulted me.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50The officers have had to arrest her.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53One calls for transport to take her away.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55She returns from the back room.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04SIREN BLARES
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Ms Chidoka was later given a caution for common assault.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Unsurprisingly, Ken's relieved this job is nearly over.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Never been assaulted before on a job.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Not like that.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Loads of verbal, but I've never been physically attacked before.
0:25:20 > 0:25:25That's in 26 years, so I've done well, I guess.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34It really surprised me.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36She was moaning,
0:25:36 > 0:25:40but you didn't think for one minute she would punch me in the ear.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42There's just one last thing to do
0:25:42 > 0:25:45and it's considerably less stressful.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Delivering the day's haul to the auction house.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55If I don't see another dress in my life, it will be too soon.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57I think they're hung up OK.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Yeah, as they were in the shop.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02We've never had dresses in, as far as I know, so it's going to
0:26:02 > 0:26:06be very, very interesting to have a collection of...
0:26:06 > 0:26:10How will we call them...? Evening gowns?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Or ballgowns?
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Nothing will be sold for seven days, giving Ms Chidoka a chance
0:26:16 > 0:26:19to settle her debt instead and get her stock back.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23If she doesn't, then the dresses will be auctioned to pay off
0:26:23 > 0:26:26her debt and costs, with any additional proceeds paid back to her.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32For Ken, it's been a tough day, so while he's here,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35he decides he deserves a treat to cheer himself up.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38My dog is a Hungarian Vizsla
0:26:38 > 0:26:42and these are basically two stone effigies of my dog.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Front of the house, they'd look nice.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47I might stick a cheeky reserve bid on them,
0:26:47 > 0:26:48while I'm here.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53It's been an extraordinary ordeal,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56but it goes to show the lengths the sheriffs will go to in order
0:26:56 > 0:26:59to get back the money their clients are owed.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03It's been a long old day, from the start of us walking into the shop.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04I'm shattered, to tell the truth.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07I'm absolutely shattered cos it's been a hard day,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10but it's been a successful day, I think.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Those dresses, I think they will fetch the value
0:27:14 > 0:27:16and our clients get paid.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23Ms Chidoka didn't settle her debt, and so the auction went ahead.
0:27:23 > 0:27:28Ms Soni will now finally get some of her money back.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30It feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I was a bit worried when I heard that one of the sheriffs,
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Ken, got assaulted.
0:27:35 > 0:27:36I hope he's OK.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41The knock to Ken's ear has left no lasting damage.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44He's also now the proud owner of a pair of stone
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Hungarian Vizslas, pictured here with Gunner.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Ms Chidoka said that following the dispute, she:
0:28:04 > 0:28:07As a result...