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 > 0:00:08My 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 > 0:00:11I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15They're Enforcement Agents of the High Court
0:00:15 > 0:00:20and, 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 > 0:00:31If you don't come to the door, we 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 > 0:00:37Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..or a household name...
0:00:39 > 0:00:40We're here to see someone from G4S.
0:00:40 > 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.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Coming up,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58dental hygienist Paula Ball didn't get paid for working with
0:00:58 > 0:01:00one of the UK's biggest security firms.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I really couldn't believe it.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04I thought, "What on earth are they playing at?"
0:01:04 > 0:01:07This is a huge company - why didn't they just pay?
0:01:07 > 0:01:11So what will happen when Lawrence and Kev arrive on the company's doorstep?
0:01:11 > 0:01:15We have a High Court Writ, so we don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20The gold and silver are just out of reach when Sheriff Ken Warby tries
0:01:20 > 0:01:22to recover a debt owed by a jeweller.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Can you come to the door, please?
0:01:24 > 0:01:27I can't shout through the letterbox - that's ridiculous.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Unfortunately, she's not letting us in.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31But can he get the company to pay?
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Steve Lee was let down by a customer
0:01:34 > 0:01:37who'd booked one of his motor homes.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39I lost income as result of them suddenly
0:01:39 > 0:01:41cancelling at the last moment
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and I thought it was most unfair. Most unreasonable.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Will the sheriffs be able to get what he's owed?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48We sent out a notice of enforcement.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51We've had no contact, so that's why we're here.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54And it's an early wake-up call at a house in Stratford.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56But will the man inside open up?
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Clearly we know he's in there because his vehicle's here, and the dogs are barking.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05If he doesn't want to come to the door, we'll make arrangements now to get the vehicle towed away.
0:02:09 > 0:02:15Central London, and enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are battling
0:02:15 > 0:02:17their way through the morning traffic.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21They've got a High Court Writ against one of the country's biggest security firms.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25We're actually going to G4S. We're going to their main building.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30Obviously sort of famous for providing the security for the Olympics.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Often, smaller debts can be missed by large corporations,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37but that's not an excuse the sheriffs will accept
0:02:37 > 0:02:42and G4S owes £1,100 to a contractor.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46A dental hygienist that did work for them in a prison
0:02:46 > 0:02:48in East Yorkshire.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52She did five sessions and hasn't been paid for them.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Would you like to open really wide?
0:02:56 > 0:02:59That dental hygienist is Paula Ball.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02For nine years, she worked regular sessions in the Wolds Prison
0:03:02 > 0:03:06near Hull, where G4S had the contract to provide health care.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09It was work which Paula loved.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12It was very, very rewarding.
0:03:12 > 0:03:18Most of the patients hadn't seen a dentist for many years.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Their teeth were not in the best condition.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27They were very, very pleased at seeing a hygienist.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31It changed my perception of prison life, to be quite honest.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35But when G4S lost the contract, the new health care providers
0:03:35 > 0:03:39didn't want to hire a hygienist, so the work dried up.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44To make matters worse, G4S never paid Paula for her final sessions.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46This became beyond a joke.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51Money from March still hadn't been paid by July.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Paula was owed nearly £1,400
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and despite repeatedly chasing up the payments,
0:03:57 > 0:03:58the money never arrived.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01I sent e-mails.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03I spoke to people on the phone. Difficult to speak to
0:04:03 > 0:04:06people on the phone cos you get a different person each time.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Whether I just got lost in the system, I don't know.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Paula had assumed that, if she persisted,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15then sooner or later, G4S would pay up.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19But as the months went by, her patience ran out.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22She began to realise the only way she was going to get paid
0:04:22 > 0:04:24was if she took some kind of legal action.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I think I just got the bit between my teeth
0:04:27 > 0:04:29that this really was unfair.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32I still have bills to pay, like everybody else.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37It was quite scary, taking on a company as big as them,
0:04:37 > 0:04:39so I was talking to a friend one evening
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and she said, "Oh, you should try Money Claims Online."
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Money Claims Online is a government website which allows
0:04:45 > 0:04:48consumers to lodge their case with the County Court.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Paula filed her claim against G4S
0:04:50 > 0:04:54and while the company initially said they'd defend it, they didn't.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Paula was awarded a judgment in her favour,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59ordering the company to settle the debt.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03I then thought that they would pay up...
0:05:06 > 0:05:09..but they didn't. I really couldn't believe it.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12I thought, "What on earth are they playing at?"
0:05:12 > 0:05:14This is a huge company.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16It's just unbelievable.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Just when Paula had given up hope, she received an e-mail
0:05:19 > 0:05:25out of the blue from G4S to say they'd made a payment of £825.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28They never explained why it was less than what she was owed
0:05:28 > 0:05:31and Paula didn't appear to have received it.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33They said they'd paid it
0:05:33 > 0:05:37and there was no record of it going into my account.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40And then they discovered they'd tried to pay it into the wrong
0:05:40 > 0:05:43account - an account that doesn't exist.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Eventually they did pay £825 into my bank account.
0:05:47 > 0:05:53Whether it was to shut me up, or to stop the process, I don't know.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Paula's still been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket
0:05:56 > 0:06:01and, having had to fight to get this far, she's not about to give up.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04I have worked for that money and I've earned it...
0:06:05 > 0:06:09..so I will go after the remaining balance.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14And left with no other alternative, that means turning to the sheriffs.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17I can think of no other way of retrieving the money.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21I'm a bit at a loss and this is the last hope.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23It's now up to them to see what they can do.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34In the capital, Lawrence and Kev are on their way to see G4S.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37They're confident of getting paid, though they are expecting
0:06:37 > 0:06:41that the sheer size of the company might complicate matters.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Just getting them to recognise the claimant and find the claimant
0:06:46 > 0:06:50in their system is normally half the battle with big companies like this.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Another challenge is parking in Central London.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55This time, Lawrence thinks he's got lucky
0:06:55 > 0:06:58but he might be getting ideas above his station.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01"Diplomatic cars only"?
0:07:01 > 0:07:02That's handy.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09The G4S office is in a shared block and the first challenge for Lawrence
0:07:09 > 0:07:12and Kev will be getting past reception.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Morning. My name's Mr Grix.
0:07:13 > 0:07:19- My colleague and I are enforcement agents. We're here to see somebody from G4S.- Mr?- Grix.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Who are you meeting with?
0:07:21 > 0:07:22We're not meeting with anybody.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25We're here to execute a High Court Writ against G4S.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- What are they on, floor five?- Yeah. - We'll just go up. It's all right.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32But the reception staff have other ideas.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- We'll need to let them know that you're coming up. - No, we'll just go up.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- The thing is...- We have to call them.- We have a High Court Writ,
0:07:38 > 0:07:42so we don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44If you want to phone them and your phone call gets
0:07:44 > 0:07:48through before we do, that's fair enough.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Lawrence and Kev have got past the security firm's security with ease.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Upstairs, and it's reception number two.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Morning, my name's Mr Grix.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02We've got a High Court Writ to execute against G4S,
0:08:02 > 0:08:07so I'd imagine we need to speak to someone either in your accounts or your legal department, please.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Um...bear with me two seconds.- Yeah.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14The sheriffs are asked to wait while the staff make enquiries.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18I think this is about the biggest security company
0:08:18 > 0:08:19in the country, isn't it?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Turnover - nearly seven billion.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24That's a few quid.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28So they should be able to cover the £1,100 they owe today -
0:08:28 > 0:08:31provided they can find the right person to deal with it.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36- Hello.- Do you know which division it is?- No, we've just got G4S.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- We don't...we haven't got a division, specifically. - Bear with me just a second.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46As Lawrence predicted, no-one seems quite sure who the right person
0:08:46 > 0:08:49is to deal with the sheriffs' unannounced arrival,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51let alone finding details of the claimant.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57But within a few minutes, someone more senior arrives.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00Hello.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Our cameraman's told to leave the building, while Lawrence and
0:09:07 > 0:09:12Kev stay inside, trying to persuade G4S to pay Paula's missing wages.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20An hour and a half later, they emerge.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I don't think they actually managed to find out what it was about.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27They're such a big organisation,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31with so many different branches and so many sub-contractors,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35they didn't actually bother to try to find our claimant on the system.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Basically, they just went away and arranged the transfer,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41and they're going to look into where it went wrong later on
0:09:41 > 0:09:46and kick the appropriate person up the posterior, probably.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Bit boring, sitting there for the best part of two hours
0:09:49 > 0:09:52waiting for someone to manage to do a bank transfer,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54but a success is a success.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57The sheriffs have been paid in full
0:09:57 > 0:10:00and, back in Yorkshire, Paula Ball is delighted.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02I would like to thank the sheriffs.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05They've done a very good job. Very relived that it's all over now and
0:10:05 > 0:10:10that the money's actually in my bank account. And I would like to say to
0:10:10 > 0:10:14people - don't be intimidated by doing something like this
0:10:14 > 0:10:16and taking on a large company.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20It can work out and you can get your money back.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22G4S told us that they...
0:10:26 > 0:10:27..for her services.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31The company has been making...
0:10:35 > 0:10:36However, they say the...
0:10:41 > 0:10:43If you've been ripped off,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46and the person or company responsible refuses
0:10:46 > 0:10:50to pay you back, the first step is to make a claim in the County Court.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52It's simple to do this online,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55for a small fee, depending on the size of the claim.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57The court will review the evidence
0:10:57 > 0:11:01and, if it finds in your favour, the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05If they don't, then for a further £60, the High Court will grant
0:11:05 > 0:11:09a Writ, authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12If they're successful - you get all your money back.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18While Lawrence and Kev are chasing the big fish,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20sheriff Ken Warby is in Finchley,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23looking for a very different kind of business.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26He's pursuing a debt owed by a small shop.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29We're off to a place called Gina Jewellers.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31The debt is £1,600.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34The only thing I know about it is
0:11:34 > 0:11:38it's unpaid invoices to a jewellery wholesaler's.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42The wholesaler is a family firm called Jenny Brown Ltd.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45After Gina Jewellers ran up an unpaid bill of over £1,000,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48they took the matter to the County Court
0:11:48 > 0:11:50and won a judgment in their favour.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55It's not been settled and now Ken is on his way to chase the debt.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56Ken's looking forward to the job.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It's not just diamonds that are a sheriff's best friend -
0:11:59 > 0:12:03he'd settle for gold or silver if it comes to it.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06They're very easy to remove - goods from jewellery shops.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10You can usually demand the full amount straight away.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14So, yeah, pretty confident we can get a result on this one.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Oh, there it is. And it is Gina Jewellers, yes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Ken parks up and heads for the door,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32but it turns out he's not the only one aware of how easily
0:12:32 > 0:12:34the shop's stock can be removed.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38They've got a button entry system, so Ken won't be just striding in.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40The lady's seen me standing here.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Hello!
0:12:45 > 0:12:46See if they'll come.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Hello? Sorry, can you come to the door, please?
0:12:52 > 0:12:55The staff have decided they don't like the look of Ken
0:12:55 > 0:12:58and our camera, and they're not opening up.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Instead, they're battening down the hatches.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03It's an intercom to get into the door.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Now they're behind the protective screen and they're on the phone to someone now.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10It could be the police or anyone - I don't know.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Ken can't do anything unless he can get inside the shop,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16or at least speak to the staff.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20With no leverage, he's got to try and be diplomatic.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25I'll explain what this is about. I've got identification on me.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Can you not come to the door?
0:13:27 > 0:13:31I can't shout through the letterbox - that's ridiculous.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34That is, however, EXACTLY what he'll have to do.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39Right. It's regarding a debt owed to someone called Jenny Brown Ltd.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40Is that making any sense?
0:13:42 > 0:13:48Right, OK. You've got an amount outstanding as at today's date of £1,668.88.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53The staff member says the shop has recently changed hands
0:13:53 > 0:13:56and that the debt dates back to the previous owners.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59What Ken will need to find out is whether any of the assets
0:13:59 > 0:14:03inside actually belong to the company named on the Writ,
0:14:03 > 0:14:07but that's going to be tricky as the woman still won't open the door.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12Unfortunately, she's not letting us in and the owner isn't back
0:14:12 > 0:14:15until later on this afternoon.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18She's told me to wait for now, so I'm wondering what she's
0:14:18 > 0:14:20going to come back to the door and talk about,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24but at the moment she's only talking to me through the other side.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Bit of a shame because there's certainly plenty of assets in there.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30But unless the woman is willing to open the door,
0:14:30 > 0:14:34he won't be getting his hands on any of those assets today.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39Faced with little alternative, Ken decides to call it quits for now.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Will you take this? All right?
0:14:41 > 0:14:44This just explains what the debt is about. That's the breakdown.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50All I will suggest, OK, because this is our first attendance,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54is that this gets paid today because, failing that,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58we will be back again and, when we come back,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01there will be extra charges on there.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05All right. Thank you.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Cheers.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Ken's hoping the threat of a growing bill will prompt the company
0:15:10 > 0:15:13to respond and that's best he can do.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15I'm hoping that she's going to give me a call
0:15:15 > 0:15:17later on today or get the debt paid.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21We'll be back another day. It doesn't bother me that much.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Ken heads off to the next job
0:15:23 > 0:15:26but, a couple of hours later, he gets a phone call.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28PHONE RINGS
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Hello.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Two ways you can pay that - you can either go online
0:15:32 > 0:15:36and pay it by card or you can do a bank transfer.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40Ken's presence at the shop earlier clearly had an effect.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Even though the shop's being taken over by a different company,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45the sale hasn't yet completed
0:15:45 > 0:15:47and, in the meantime, the new boss is willing to settle
0:15:47 > 0:15:50the debt on the previous owner's behalf.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Apparently they're under new ownership,
0:15:54 > 0:15:59but the guy that's bought the jewellers still wants to clear
0:15:59 > 0:16:05the debts. The debt outstanding is £1,668 as at today's date.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09He said he can pay the £600.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12I said, if he can pay the £1,000 today,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15I'll give him two weeks to pay the balance.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17He's going to give me a call back,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20so hopefully that will get sorted soon as well.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Later that day, the boss did pay the £1,000
0:16:26 > 0:16:29and cleared the remaining balance within two weeks.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Jenny Brown Ltd have now got their money back.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50In the Midlands, enforcement agents Tommy Coyle
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and Craig Wilde have an early morning call to make
0:16:53 > 0:16:55in pursuit of a debt owed by a businessman.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57We're on our way to Stratford-upon-Avon.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00It's a second call that we're going to this address.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03This particular case is just short of £7,000.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06It's £6,900-odd outstanding.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09But there are some details of the case which Craig is
0:17:09 > 0:17:10struggling to get to grips with.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15Gentleman's name is Mr Igor... Now, forgive me on this...er...
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Er... His name's Mr Igor Kolodotschko.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Mr Kolodotschko was taken to court four and half years ago over
0:17:25 > 0:17:27unpaid legal bills.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Although judgment was found against him,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31he's never paid back what he owes.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35When Tommy visited his home a few weeks ago, there was no answer,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39but he did clock an expensive-looking Volvo parked in the driveway.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42I took the details, so we could do our checks within the office -
0:17:42 > 0:17:46DVLA checks, HPI - make sure the car's not stolen.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50It's come back to a rough value of about £23,000.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53More than enough to cover the outstanding debt.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55And when they get to the house, under cover of darkness,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57the good news is it's there.
0:17:59 > 0:18:00That's the Volvo.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Yep, the car's there.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05It appears to be quite a reasonable-sized property,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07especially for Stratford.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11At residential addresses, the sheriffs have to arrive early
0:18:11 > 0:18:13so there's more chance of finding the debtor in,
0:18:13 > 0:18:19but the drawback is they're often still in bed.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29There's no response from the bell, so Tommy tries again.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Still no joy. - It is quite early though, isn't it?
0:18:38 > 0:18:40It could be that the man's not there.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Either that, or he's a very heavy sleeper.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46No signs at the moment. No lights coming on yet.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50And you can clearly hear the bell working, so we'll just keep
0:18:50 > 0:18:55doing that for now until some signs of life comes to fruition.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57HE KNOCKS DOOR
0:18:57 > 0:19:00They soon do, but not the kind they're after.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- I can hear dogs.- Can you?
0:19:02 > 0:19:03They're barking now.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Tommy and Craig are convinced the debtor's at home.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08But if he won't speak to them,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11then they'll have no choice other than removing the car.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12It's now half past seven.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14I'd give him till eight o'clock.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Give him every opportunity to get it sorted.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19If he doesn't want to, then we'll have to sort it for him.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23After all, there's only so much banging on the door they can do.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Keep knocking his door like this, he might ring the police!
0:19:26 > 0:19:31Saying, "I've got guys, some big guys, trying to break in!"
0:19:31 > 0:19:33But before they call a tow truck,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Tommy makes one last attempt to make contact with Mr Kolodotschko.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Hello! It's the Sheriff's Office here.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42You've got to say his surname as well, Tommy.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48Kolo...doks..ko. Would you say that? Kolodostsckho?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Kolo...Koldotschko, or something like that.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Mr...Kolodotski?
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- THEY LAUGH - Could you come to the door, please?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00I didn't say that right, did I?
0:20:00 > 0:20:03No, you didn't! Try again.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Mr Kolodostsckho, it's the Sheriff's Office here.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09If you don't come to the door, so we can have a chat with you,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12we HAVE to remove the vehicle off the drive. That's why we're here today.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Clearly we know he's in there cos his vehicle's here.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- Can't NOT hear that, can you? - And the dogs are barking,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20so he's aware of us. You just give him the ultimatum now.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23If he doesn't want to come to the door, that's his prerogative,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26but we'll make arrangements now to get the vehicle towed away.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Tommy makes the call to book a tow truck, then turns his attention
0:20:31 > 0:20:34to making sure no-one else can move the Volvo first.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- Tommy.- What?- This side's better.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41No, mate. This has to go on the other side. Hang on.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44They need to get a clamp on as quickly as possible,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47just in case anyone thinks they can try to stop them.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50This ain't going to go on - too thick.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53Try another one.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Bottom wishbone there. - Yeah, I've got it.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06HE GRUNTS
0:21:06 > 0:21:09It's on and a sticker on the windscreen is the final touch.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15If he jumps in the vehicle and says he didn't realise it was clamped,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17with a big yellow clamp on the front,
0:21:17 > 0:21:21the sticker's another secondary sort of warning for him.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23The debtor's not likely to try to drive off.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27But as much as anything, the clamp's about sending a signal.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28Hopefully it'll spur him on a bit,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30show him that we're seriously going to take it,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32because some people don't think
0:21:32 > 0:21:35it's going to happen until the last minute.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Hopefully this shows it is.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Tommy and Craig aren't in any rush to take the car, as recent changes
0:21:42 > 0:21:47to legislation mean they can't do it until two hours after they got here.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49The idea is to give the debtor a reasonable chance to get
0:21:49 > 0:21:51the matter sorted first
0:21:51 > 0:21:54but, in Mr Kolodotschko's case, that looks increasingly unlikely.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58We've done everything we can to try to make contact with him.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01We have no number for him on file, otherwise we'd call him too.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03By the time the arrangements are made,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05and the contractor's come here to remove it,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08it'll be well over the two hours which is giving him, under the new
0:22:08 > 0:22:09regs, plenty of time to, obviously,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11if he wanted to, to get this addressed.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14But just when they're giving up hope of that happening,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Craig spots movement at the house.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18A shutter has been opened.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Did you see actually see someone?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- No, I saw it open up. - Oh, did you?- Yeah.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24There's definitely someone home
0:22:24 > 0:22:28and, whoever it is, they're not trying to be subtle after all.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33Lights on now. Middle room light here, on the top.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35I can hear footsteps downstairs.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Yet still no-one will come to the door -
0:22:38 > 0:22:40much to the sheriffs' frustration.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43If the debtor's determined not to co-operate,
0:22:43 > 0:22:44then the car will have to go,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47so Tommy starts preparing it for removal.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Just doing a damage report on the vehicle -
0:22:51 > 0:22:53it's just to cover ourselves, really -
0:22:53 > 0:22:55if he does pay and then gets it back.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Pretty good nick, isn't it? - Not even a scuffed alloy, really.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Then, just as the sheriffs are resigned to waiting for the truck,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Tommy suddenly leaps in to action.
0:23:06 > 0:23:07Hello.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09A man has appeared at the door.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14Mr Kolo...dotschko? You all right, sir? I'm from the Sheriff's Office.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16It's to do with a court order.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17A High Court Writ of Control.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19That's why we've been trying to contact you.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23You've had a letter before explaining the situation.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Mr Kolodotschko says he doesn't know anything about the case,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29so Tommy shows him the details on the Writ.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Does this ring any bells? You used their services for something.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41To be honest, it's gone a bit too far now.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46The courts are saying you are because your name -
0:23:46 > 0:23:49you've actually got a County Court Judgment logged against you.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50Mr Kolodotschko says he's retired
0:23:50 > 0:23:53and the debt must be to do with a company he USED to run,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56but the claimant has sued him personally
0:23:56 > 0:23:59and he's already had more than four years to pay it.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03The judgment was 4/5/2011, so you must have knew about it back then.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06The County Court would have sent you a letter.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09I know it's very tough at the moment, and early in the morning,
0:24:09 > 0:24:10but the situation is as simple as
0:24:10 > 0:24:13we've got about an hour and the vehicle's going to be removed,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15or we need the balance paid.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Because it's a court order in your name.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24Well, it's a bit late at this stage.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Mr Kolodotschko's adamant that the debt isn't his,
0:24:27 > 0:24:29but that's not what the law says
0:24:29 > 0:24:32and Tommy now needs to know whether he's going to pay.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Are you saying you're going to pay it? Because I can stop the removal truck coming.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40You do... You haven't, no.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44But you get 14 days before the money goes to the claimant, OK?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47So within that 14 days, go and seek your own legal advice.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50If you want to go inside for a minute, keep warm,
0:24:50 > 0:24:51and I'll come and knock you.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- He's paying it on card.- OK.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Mr Kolodotschko has reluctantly agreed to pay in full,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02though the lie-in has cost him.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04We've just cancelled the truck for now.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Unfortunately, this guy, had he have come to the door
0:25:07 > 0:25:11and discussed it with us when we first got here over an hour ago,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14would have saved himself the contractor fee,
0:25:14 > 0:25:15which has been applied now.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19But Mr Kolodotschko says the reason he didn't to come to the door
0:25:19 > 0:25:21is that he sleeps in the back of the house
0:25:21 > 0:25:22and never heard the commotion.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I haven't heard anything, no.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27The only thing I noticed when I opened the curtains was that
0:25:27 > 0:25:32I saw some people wandering about outside and then I came out.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34As for the case in question -
0:25:34 > 0:25:36he thinks he might now know what it's about.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Now I've been given a name, I think it's something to do with
0:25:40 > 0:25:43somebody stole a million pounds from my company
0:25:43 > 0:25:47and this is to do with claiming money back from that.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Now I've got to take it up with my solicitors and accountants
0:25:51 > 0:25:53to see what happens because,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56if nothing else, the company has to pay me back.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00But one way or another, the claimant will now get the money he's owed.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03And for the sheriffs, it's a case of justice served.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05He kind of knows what it's about.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07He's saying it's some old legal fees,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11but he said he'd handed all the information to his accountant to sort out.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12Well...he shouldn't have done that.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15He should have complied with the court order
0:26:15 > 0:26:17and got it paid a long time ago.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19But at nine o'clock now and we've got the full payment,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23just over the 7,000, so a good result.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27To quote Shakespeare - "To pay or not to pay" - and, clearly, he did!
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court Enforcement Agents
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52£1.6m.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Every year, sheriffs enforce more than 70,000 Writs across England
0:26:56 > 0:27:00and Wales and recover more than £75m.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04I'm here today to take control of goods to the value of £41,086.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06We have to insist on full payment.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Their fees are set by the government,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Thank you very much. See you later.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:27:18 > 0:27:20there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33It's not just Tommy and Craig who've had an early start.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35It's before dawn in London
0:27:35 > 0:27:39and Lawrence and Kev are also on their way to see a debtor.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40It's 6.20am.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43We are heading into Central London, sort of Chelsea way.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47We're going to see Mr Christian Fallon.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49It's a highly unusual case for the sheriffs,
0:27:49 > 0:27:51as the sum of money they're after
0:27:51 > 0:27:54is one of the biggest they've ever dealt with.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58He owes a debt of £1.6m.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02It's a huge amount of money as, on this occasion,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05the sheriffs are delving into the world of high finance.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11He was given some money to invest and he never did,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13and never paid it back.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Mr Fallon has been sued by four investors
0:28:18 > 0:28:21and, although he defended the case, he lost.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Now it's down to Lawrence and Kev to try to persuade him to pay.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31Lawrence has actually been to another address we had for him -
0:28:31 > 0:28:33it turned out to be his parents' address.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35I got no answer, but he phoned me up.
0:28:35 > 0:28:41He's obviously aware of the debt. Said he'd pay 20,000 by yesterday.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45And hasn't, so we're going to try and get some money out of him.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48The sheriffs know this job's a long shot.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52The new address is a flat and it's highly unlikely they'll be
0:28:52 > 0:28:56able to find enough assets there to cover a debt of this size,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59but there's a chance their visit could be enough to rattle
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Mr Fallon's cage and prompt him into payment.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05They're hoping an element of surprise will help.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08He doesn't actually know we've got this address where we're going now.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11It's not actually 100% that he does live here.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14The postcode leads the sheriffs to a block of swanky-looking
0:29:14 > 0:29:16serviced apartments,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19but this isn't the kind of place where you can just walk in.
0:29:19 > 0:29:24Enter user code. It's too dark to see which buttons to press, innit?
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Luckily, Kev spots a friendly security guard
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and explains that he's an enforcement agent.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35Wonder if you could buzz us in this building, please? We've got to visit someone in here.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Oh, lovely. Thanks very much.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39They're in and, Writ in hand,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42they head up to what they think might be the man's flat.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49There's no answer at the door,
0:29:49 > 0:29:52though he could just be another heavy sleeper.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54HE KNOCKS
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Still no answer,
0:29:56 > 0:29:59so Lawrence digs out the phone number that the debtor used
0:29:59 > 0:30:01to call him from when they spoke.
0:30:08 > 0:30:09Can't hear it.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13If there is someone in there, they're not stirring.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16It rang once and then clicked.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18He switched it off?
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Rather implies he's in there, doesn't it?
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Can't hear any signs of life.
0:30:26 > 0:30:27HE KNOCKS
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Then Lawrence hears a sound.
0:30:30 > 0:30:31INTERMITTENT BUZZING
0:30:31 > 0:30:36What's that? Somebody's alarm clock, do you reckon?
0:30:36 > 0:30:37Sounded like it.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Where's it coming from?
0:30:42 > 0:30:44It's a false alarm.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Wasn't coming from here, I don't think.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51The sheriffs' hopes of catching Mr Fallon off-guard haven't been realised,
0:30:51 > 0:30:55so they head off, passing by reception on the way
0:30:55 > 0:30:58to see if they can get any more information.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Just trying to confirm whether he lives there or not. Just been up to the flat and got no answer.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05- Hasn't got any name on there. - Hasn't got any name on there,
0:31:05 > 0:31:09so we don't know whether he's there or not. OK, no worries. Thanks for your help.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11And for now, that's all they can do.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14There was no sign of any life, couldn't hear any sound,
0:31:14 > 0:31:16so we've managed to come down to reception,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19just to try and confirm if he's there or not,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22but they've got no name registered at that flat.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24This was always going to a tricky job
0:31:24 > 0:31:27and it's come as no surprise to Lawrence
0:31:27 > 0:31:29that the debtor is making himself scarce.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33If you've got a £1.6m debt and you're trying to
0:31:33 > 0:31:37avoid paying it, you're not going to want to be found.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40The sheriffs have since made further attempts to contact Mr Fallon,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43but have so far not been able to reach him.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00After a disappointing start to the day,
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Lawrence and Kev are now heading for the south coast,
0:32:03 > 0:32:06where they're hoping to have better luck chasing a debt
0:32:06 > 0:32:09owed by a company specialising in some kind of motorsport.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11Bit of a dreary morning.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15Apart from that, we're going to Sam Thomas Racing Ltd.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18We are looking for £3,075.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22Sam Thomas Racing Ltd was taken to court after cancelling
0:32:22 > 0:32:26a booking to hire a motorhome from a company called Jumbocruiser.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Jumbocruiser is based in Newport in Wales
0:32:29 > 0:32:33and was set up by its MD Steve Lee just over ten years ago.
0:32:33 > 0:32:38The company specialises in renting out plush motorhomes for events.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41It's been quite an interesting business to go into.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46We've been renting out vehicles to motor racing drivers,
0:32:46 > 0:32:47for production crew,
0:32:47 > 0:32:51even for private families to go to a music festival like Glastonbury.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Here we have a sofa which turns into a double bed.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Lovely American fridge-freezer with ice-making machine.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Don't know which one, but I can tell you that One Direction
0:33:06 > 0:33:07even slept in this bed.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11It's taken longer than I expected to become profitable,
0:33:11 > 0:33:13but we are profitable now.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16But Steve doesn't want anything to jeopardise the success he's
0:33:16 > 0:33:20worked hard for and, as Sam Thomas Racing are about to discover,
0:33:20 > 0:33:22that includes unpaid bills.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26Sam Thomas contacted me about a month before a major
0:33:26 > 0:33:29event at Silverstone, asking for a motorhome.
0:33:29 > 0:33:35I sent him pricing and links to photographs of example vehicles.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37This motor home was available
0:33:37 > 0:33:41and, as Mr Thomas liked the look of it, he booked it for four days.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44The paperwork he signed spelt out the cancellation policy
0:33:44 > 0:33:47and what money had to be paid upfront.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53It's normal to take a deposit up to 25% immediately
0:33:53 > 0:33:57and, then, the balance usually a month before.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59So, because it was about a month before,
0:33:59 > 0:34:04the invoice was for the full amount and that was payable immediately.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07The cost of the hire was just under £2,400
0:34:07 > 0:34:10and Steve expected the payment to arrive shortly.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13After about a week, I noticed we hadn't received the money,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16so I contacted Mr Thomas. He said he was away at the moment,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19but his secretary should have done it.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21But when he gets back, he'll get it sorted.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24And then a week later, I still hadn't received it
0:34:24 > 0:34:28and I had got another customer wanting that particular vehicle.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32And asked him if he want to come out of the contract and that's OK
0:34:32 > 0:34:34because I've got another customer. He said, "No, no, no, no.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37"I really do want the motor home.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39"I'll get it sorted."
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Reassured that Mr Thomas was committed to his booking,
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Steve turned the other customer away.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49But as the date of the hire approached, the money still
0:34:49 > 0:34:53hadn't been forthcoming and then Steve received a call.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56A few days before the event, Mr Thomas contacted me
0:34:56 > 0:35:00to say that his partner has got a brand-new motorhome,
0:35:00 > 0:35:03it's being delivered now, and they won't need our one.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06I thought that it was most unfair, most unreasonable.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10Steve wasn't about to take that lying down.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13So, I said, "Well, I'm sorry, you've left it rather late now
0:35:13 > 0:35:16"and I have been chasing you over this.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18"I'm sorry but I have to hold you to the contract now because
0:35:18 > 0:35:21"it's very unlikely I'm going to be able to get another hirer.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23"If I do, that's fine,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26"but otherwise you'll be liable for the full amount."
0:35:26 > 0:35:28He said, "No, no. There was no contract.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30"I'm sorry, I don't want to know."
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Mr Thomas wasn't willing to pay it
0:35:33 > 0:35:36but, as he'd electronically signed up to the terms and conditions,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Steve sent him the bill anyway.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41I lost income as a result of them suddenly
0:35:41 > 0:35:45cancelling at the last moment and I wasn't prepared to accept that.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48As a business owner, I just feel I have to do the right thing
0:35:48 > 0:35:52for my company and for my employees, by definition,
0:35:52 > 0:35:58and make sure that any money I feel is fairly owed to us is collected.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01And with Sam Thomas Racing still refusing to pay,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Steve decided there was only one way to go.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09I had no choice really, at the end of the day, so I took him to court.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12The strange this is he didn't respond to the summons,
0:36:12 > 0:36:14so I was able to get a default judgment.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Steve assumed that, once he had a court judgment in his pocket,
0:36:19 > 0:36:23Sam Thomas Racing would admit defeat and make the payment.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26When they didn't, Steve turned to the sheriffs.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28I've tried the county court bailiffs in the past
0:36:28 > 0:36:31and, to be honest, I don't think they've really got the powers
0:36:31 > 0:36:35to do what I need. I've not really found them very satisfactory.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39So, you know, I thought I'd give the sheriffs, the High Court enforcement
0:36:39 > 0:36:45guys a go because they've got more powers. We'll see how it goes.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Back on the south coast,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Lawrence and Kev are about to pay Sam Thomas Racing a visit,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58but it's hard to tell how this one's going to go as they don't
0:36:58 > 0:37:00really know what the company does.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03If it's a motor racing team or something like that,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05then you'd expect there to be assets for sure.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07The obvious thing to look for is the cars,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09but it all comes down to who owns them.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12As for car buff Lawrence, he's hoping for something
0:37:12 > 0:37:15a cut above the typical car garage that the sheriffs visit.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17We don't know a lot about it,
0:37:17 > 0:37:21but they may manufacture cars for a certain class of racing.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24The mystery is about to be solved.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- We're here.- Yeah, we're here. - Sam Thomas Racing.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32- There's lights on. - There's someone in there.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36- Morning. Sam Thomas Racing Ltd? - Morning.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- All right, yeah.- We've got a High Court Writ against
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Sam Thomas Racing Ltd on behalf of Jumbocruiser Ltd.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49You're not the boss, I take it.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Are you able to get him on the phone?
0:37:52 > 0:37:54While the man tries to contact the boss,
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Lawrence and Kev look for clues as to precisely what the company does
0:37:58 > 0:38:00and whether there are any assets.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- Is it going to voicemail or...? - Yeah, it does, yeah.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Yeah, £3,075.98.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14It sounds like they may have to wait
0:38:14 > 0:38:16and, in the meantime,
0:38:16 > 0:38:18they're itching to find out what's out the back.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Right, we need to have a little look round, just to see what
0:38:21 > 0:38:23you've got here in case we end up having to remove.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Basically, we're ordered here by the courts
0:38:25 > 0:38:27to take goods into control to clear the debt.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30- What sort of racing do you do, anyway?- I'll show you what there is.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33Have a look.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Oh.
0:38:35 > 0:38:36- Don't touch. - HE LAUGHS
0:38:36 > 0:38:38That's lovely.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Lawrence can't believe his luck -
0:38:40 > 0:38:44the garage is full of classic racing cars.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47These are amazing, aren't they?
0:38:47 > 0:38:48I'm in heaven.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49That Mustang's lovely.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52- Proper old Batmobile there, as well. - What we looking at?
0:38:52 > 0:38:55- The multi-coloured BMW.- Oh, right.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Why's it called a Batmobile?
0:38:57 > 0:38:59I suppose because it looks a bit like the Batmobile, doesn't it?
0:38:59 > 0:39:02If you say so, Lawrence.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04This is just awesome.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Problem is, though, they're going to belong to other people.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09They're not going to be their own cars, I wouldn't think.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13So, these are all customers' cars, I take it, are they?
0:39:13 > 0:39:17They are and so they can't be removed to cover the debt.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Meanwhile, the man has managed to get hold of the boss,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21but only by text message,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24and he says the case is in dispute.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33We don't take cheques, anyway,
0:39:33 > 0:39:34but it needs to be the full amount.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38It doesn't matter really what negotiations the solicitors are in.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- Yeah.- Just because they want to get it sorted
0:39:40 > 0:39:42doesn't mean that anything's happening.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44And once that judgment went into place and didn't get paid,
0:39:44 > 0:39:46the claimant is perfectly within their rights
0:39:46 > 0:39:49to transfer it up to the High Court.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51But the boss has been taken by surprise
0:39:51 > 0:39:54and wants a bit more time to look into the matter.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01No.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03We're not going to be waiting around like that.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05We sent out a notice of enforcement.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06We've had no contact,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- so that's why we're here.- OK.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10The debtor has been given notice
0:40:10 > 0:40:12and, as time's run out,
0:40:12 > 0:40:15the sheriffs can insist on immediate payment in full.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Any legal challenge will have to come later.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22We hold the money for 14 days anyway and then he's got breathing
0:40:22 > 0:40:25space to speak to his solicitors, do whatever he needs to do.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27OK, yeah. No worries, yeah. So...
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- It needs to be done now, before we leave.- It needs to be done now? OK.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36The boss is stalling for time, but the sheriffs are standing firm
0:40:36 > 0:40:39and Lawrence is in his element...
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- Proper Le Mans Silk Cut Jaguar. - Isn't it?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46..whilst Kev looks increasingly bored.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49That one there, dark blue one, Sunbeam Tiger.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Remember Dr No, James Bond's in a little Sunbeam,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55when he goes up to the top of the mountain, that's the Tiger.
0:40:55 > 0:40:56That's a V8.
0:40:58 > 0:40:59Is he wrong on any of that?
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- That's annoying. - THEY LAUGH
0:41:02 > 0:41:06But on the plus side, it looks like the sheriffs are making progress.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09The man is now asking how he can pay - in full.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14It can be cash, it can be done by bank transfer.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Yeah. It needs to be immediate, as well.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19We need to be able to see it hit our bank account before we can
0:41:19 > 0:41:21issue a receipt and leave.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24The company opts to do a bank transfer,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26but there seems to be a problem.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34I don't know what it is, so I said to him I'll do it again.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Then when payment does go through,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39the sheriffs can't find it in their bank.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40Hmm. That's bizarre.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46After half and hour of toing and froing, frustration is growing.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51- No.- No, we have to wait on the premises.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56- We have to wait here until the payment's gone through.- No worries.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Just when the atmosphere in the room is getting tense...
0:42:01 > 0:42:02..it's all sorted.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06It's there.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09And it's case closed for the sheriffs.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Yeah, that's it. It's dropped in.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Right, we'll leave you in peace. Thank you very much.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16- See you later. Bye-bye. - See you later.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19The debtor's solicitor apparently had been trying to
0:42:19 > 0:42:22communicate with the claimant's solicitor to get things resolved
0:42:22 > 0:42:24but it hadn't happened...
0:42:24 > 0:42:27certainly not enough to stop the Writ.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29It was one of the better places we visit, to be fair.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31It was good, there were some nice motors in there.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35Lots of old historic cars, so I was in my element, really.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38And we got paid as well, so can't complain at that.
0:42:39 > 0:42:44Back in Wales, Steve Lee has got the news he was hoping for.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Well it's actually amazing. They acted really quickly, the sheriffs.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49They've managed to get my money in already.
0:42:49 > 0:42:50I think it's absolutely brilliant.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Sam Thomas told us that he and his team were...
0:42:59 > 0:43:00As a result, he was...
0:43:04 > 0:43:06He says it...