0:00:02 > 0:00:03Meet the sheriffs.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07It's to do with a High Court order.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10They work for the High Court, and if it says you're owed money,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13it's their job to go and get it.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16I'm here for £6,072.18.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18They can demand payment on the spot...
0:00:18 > 0:00:20I'm here for the full balance.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22How are you going to pay it?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24..or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26The car will be going unless you can pay it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36The door needs to stay open.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Every year, in England and Wales,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million
0:00:43 > 0:00:45are recovered by the sheriffs.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Coming up, a budding property developer's lost out
0:00:51 > 0:00:54after squatters took over his building.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56We have subsidised the squatters,
0:00:56 > 0:00:58approximately £20,000.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01When the sheriffs tried to evict them,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04they get more than they bargained for.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Didn't see all that, did you?
0:01:06 > 0:01:09There's confusion when Tommy and Craig chase money
0:01:09 > 0:01:11owed by a clothing manufacturer...
0:01:15 > 0:01:17..only their story doesn't check out.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21It transpires the arrangement they had in place, they've defaulted on.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24A locksmith's done a botched job on Pete Mullany's door.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26The mechanism was the wrong one.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28The whole frame and everything was damaged.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30It was a bit of a disaster.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33The boss of the company responsible doesn't want to cooperate.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37But can Ken change his mind?
0:01:37 > 0:01:40That's what I like to see, plenty of stock in the shop.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44And Lawrence and Kev are on the hunt for a stables manager
0:01:44 > 0:01:45who owes money.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46Hello?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48No sign of anybody, is there?
0:01:48 > 0:01:51The place is deserted, but can they get the debtor's attention?
0:01:51 > 0:01:53HORN BEEPS
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Return to the stables immediately please,
0:01:56 > 0:01:57so that we can deal with this.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05This morning, enforcement agent Ken Warby
0:02:05 > 0:02:07is in his usual North London patch.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11He's heading to a shop in Barnet, in pursuit of an unpaid debt.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15On the face of it, it looks like a run-of-the-mill job,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17but he's about to be reminded
0:02:17 > 0:02:19that it takes some people longer than others
0:02:19 > 0:02:23to come to terms with the realities of High Court enforcement.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28We are going to visit a company called All Service For You.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30I believe they're a security company.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35To be precise, All Service For You Ltd
0:02:35 > 0:02:37is a locksmiths,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39and their debt of more than £2,000 all began
0:02:39 > 0:02:41with a surprisingly simple problem,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44a broken lock on the front door
0:02:44 > 0:02:47of Pete Mullany's family home in Stockport.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50The locks themselves wasn't shutting properly,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52such that when you shut the door,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54it was just slightly sticking out a bit,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57so the locks had probably been in there 20 years,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00and they just needed replacing.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Pete and his wife called around locksmiths for quotes,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05before settling on All Service For You,
0:03:05 > 0:03:07thinking it was a local company.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11It wasn't until we found out a little bit further on in the process
0:03:11 > 0:03:14that the company was based in London,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18and they'd outsourced it to local contractors to pick up the deal.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21So it wasn't kind of what we were hoping for.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23And when a workman came to fix the lock,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25it didn't exactly go as planned.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30It's a composite door with its own unique locking mechanism,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and the mechanism that he put in was the wrong one,
0:03:33 > 0:03:35so as a result, there was loads of holes everywhere,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37which had been filled in with Polyfilla.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40The door was slightly damaged, as well,
0:03:40 > 0:03:41and at the bottom, didn't shut properly.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43You could actually see the light coming through,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46the wind blowing through into the hallway.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49So all told, it was a bit of a disaster.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52At first, it looked like All Service For You
0:03:52 > 0:03:54were keen to help and sent someone else out
0:03:54 > 0:03:58to fix the problem, only HE fared no better.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02He himself had to, in parts in the door, lathe down the door,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04and as a consequence of lathing down the door,
0:04:04 > 0:04:08he actually splintered all the door, so the damage got worse.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10This time, when the Mullanys tried to complain,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13they found the company was less responsive.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Calls and messages went unanswered and in the end, they just gave up,
0:04:17 > 0:04:22until several months later, when events spurred Pete into action.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24I went to slam the door and the actual splinter
0:04:24 > 0:04:25started to come away,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28and that's when I realised that this job wasn't good enough.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30So what I did, I did two things, really.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33I checked the original invoice that we got for the locks.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37They'd put one-year warranty, so I thought I was within that one year,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40so still within my rights to do something about it.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44So I contacted them and asked them to ring me,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48sent all the pictures again, and as usual, they never got back.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Pete decided he wasn't going to take it lying down,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55and following guidance given him by Citizens' Advice,
0:04:55 > 0:04:56got a second opinion.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58I contacted a local master locksmith.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00He came round,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03and originally, we'd been looking at this as to settle the damage
0:05:03 > 0:05:06for the lock, but it was him who pointed out
0:05:06 > 0:05:08that the whole doorframe and everything was damaged,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and suddenly, it ramped up from just replacing the locks
0:05:11 > 0:05:15to actually the whole door and the whole frame.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Pete made a claim against All Service For You Ltd
0:05:17 > 0:05:19through the County Courts,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and when they didn't offer a defence, he won a default judgment.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26But weeks down the line, there's still no sign of his money.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I've still not received any correspondence from the defendant
0:05:30 > 0:05:32as to whether he's paying this money,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35so I'm getting pretty desperate and I'm just thinking,
0:05:35 > 0:05:36"What do I need to do?"
0:05:36 > 0:05:39More than anything, we need to get that door sorted.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Three daughters in the house,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44my constant fear is that someone could break that door down.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48When it rains heavily, we're always scared about ingress of water
0:05:48 > 0:05:50coming into the house. When it's windy,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53you can hear it whistling through the bottom of the door.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Desperate to get his money, and with the law on his side,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Pete's escalated the case to the High Court
0:05:58 > 0:06:00and called in the sheriffs.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03I'm hoping that they are going to get that money for me,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06because this has been a mega process,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09and it just feels like if it falls at the last step,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11I'll be absolutely devastated.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20In Barnet, Ken's on his way to the shop
0:06:20 > 0:06:23where All Service For You are thought to trade.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Since Pete enlisted the sheriffs' help to get his money back,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31there have been further legal developments, but Ken is undeterred.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35I know that there was an application...
0:06:36 > 0:06:38..to get the judgment set aside,
0:06:38 > 0:06:43which has recently been thrown out of court,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45so we are good to go on it.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47As he reaches the address,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49it seems the name of the shop doesn't quite match
0:06:49 > 0:06:51the name on his writ.
0:06:51 > 0:06:5437, All Time Security...
0:06:54 > 0:06:57But it's probably just a trading name for the same business,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00and Ken likes what he sees.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Walk straight in the shop front, that should be easy enough.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Little does Ken know the extent to which his patience will be tested,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10but he does at least find a nice place for the car.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12That's a good little spot. It's free...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17..and it's literally over the road.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Time for Ken to discover whether the company's planning
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- to finally pay up for Pete's door. - Hello.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26All Service For You Ltd?
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Yes.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30I need to speak to the person in charge.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32It's the right company,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35and the woman behind the desk quickly finds the manager.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37My name is Mr Warby.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38OK.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43This is regarding a judgment from an individual called Mr Pete Mullany.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44I think you know about it,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47because I think you tried to get the judgment set aside.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52OK. And what was the outcome?
0:07:52 > 0:07:54The sheriffs are used to arguing with people
0:07:54 > 0:07:56who think their cases are still ongoing,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59but as this man's appeal was rejected yesterday,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02he should know exactly where he stands.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Yes.- So far, so good.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Or maybe not.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17The man believes that his intention to appeal again
0:08:17 > 0:08:19means he doesn't have to pay,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21but that's not what the law says.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25The locksmiths were ordered to pay Mr Mullany nearly two months ago,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29and this man's attempt to get the judgment overturned has failed.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31The situation's this...
0:08:31 > 0:08:34These now have a High Court judgment against you,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36so I'm here for the full balance.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39After costs, it's now £2,311, that's what I'm here for.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50The man now says he's willing to pay the original judgment debt,
0:08:50 > 0:08:51without costs and fees,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54but the time to pay this lower figure has long gone.
0:08:55 > 0:09:01The amount with Sheriffs' fees currently stands at £2,311.50.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Yeah...
0:09:07 > 0:09:10At this point, our camera is asked to leave.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Inside, Ken attempts to explain to the manager
0:09:15 > 0:09:19that he needs to find more than two grand pretty quickly,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21or else goods will be removed from the shop.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25But the man doesn't like what he's hearing and closes the shutters,
0:09:25 > 0:09:26trapping Ken inside.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Ken follows protocol and calls the police.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36For 25 minutes, the discussion continues behind closed doors,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39until eventually, the shutters reopen.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42The boss thinks he's found a loophole in Ken's paperwork
0:09:42 > 0:09:44and wants to show us.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04The address on the writ is the company's registered office,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07not here, where they are trading from.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Thinking he's onto a winner, the boss lets us back in.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12But he's barking up the wrong tree.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Sheriffs can attend anywhere the debtor resides
0:10:15 > 0:10:18or carries out a trade or business.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Yeah, we're instructed by the client to attend here,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22so that is an extension for the writ.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26To be here.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30The manager seems to think it's unreasonable for the claimant
0:10:30 > 0:10:32to want the money he's legally owed.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Ken decides the easiest thing is to just wait for backup.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38I want it done amicably, OK? I want the police here,
0:10:38 > 0:10:42just so they can let you know because you won't take it from me,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44that we are within our rights to be here,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46and that we can remove goods from here.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47Maybe you'll have it from the police officer,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50and if he then can't convince you,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I'll call up the van and we'll remove goods.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Later, as he starts listing goods for potential removal...
0:10:58 > 0:10:59I can go wherever I want, mate.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02..Ken gets locked in again.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Using the county courts to try to recover money you're owed
0:11:15 > 0:11:18isn't difficult. 1.5 million money claims
0:11:18 > 0:11:21are made every year in England and Wales,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship,
0:11:24 > 0:11:25to unpaid invoices.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38If you're successful,
0:11:38 > 0:11:43a County Court Judgment or CCJ will be issued against the debtor.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47And if they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54It's 6am in Brixton, South London.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57All right, I'll give out a couple of copies of the writ.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58Under the cover of darkness,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01the sheriffs are quietly preparing to carry out an eviction
0:12:01 > 0:12:03on a group of squatters.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07They've taken over a nearby commercial premises,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10and it's the job of team leader Mark King
0:12:10 > 0:12:12to take it back for the owner.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15The client has said there is potentially
0:12:15 > 0:12:17up to 15 people in there.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19We'll give them the opportunity to get their stuff together.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24If they don't, or they mess about or become aggressive or anything,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26they'll just be removed from the property.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33The building is owned by Julien Gressier.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36He works in the fashion industry but with a background in architecture,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40also has a sideline in small-scale property development.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44For me, it's about doing something that I like doing
0:12:44 > 0:12:46and trying to make a living,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50while creating homes which are desperately needed, you know,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52in the UK and in London.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57The property in question is a commercial building,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00which, until recently, was used to sell car parts.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01But Julien is hoping to develop it
0:13:01 > 0:13:04into a mix of residential and commercial units.
0:13:07 > 0:13:14It is currently a large warehouse on two floors, probably 1930s built,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16industrial to some extent,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19which is very much part of the DNA of the building
0:13:19 > 0:13:22which we want to retain.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25However, shortly after buying it at auction,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Julien was informed that squatters had moved in.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31As the building had been empty for a few months,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34at first he was sympathetic, and went to speak to them.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38They were keen on some sort of deal whereby they stay in the place,
0:13:38 > 0:13:43look after it, and it wouldn't deteriorate any further.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46To some extent, we were probably open to discussion,
0:13:46 > 0:13:51but I think came a point where we fairly quickly realised
0:13:51 > 0:13:54that they were taking the mickey, if you can use that!
0:13:57 > 0:14:00The squatters are preventing access to the building
0:14:00 > 0:14:02which Julien needs to progress the works,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05and because he was unable to persuade them to leave,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08he's embarking on the legal process of getting them removed.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12He's ploughed all his savings into this project,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15and reckons the squatters' intervention
0:14:15 > 0:14:16has cost him a small fortune.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20We are paying, every month.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Business rates are probably about £3,000 a month on the place.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27We were potentially looking at doing short-term rentals
0:14:27 > 0:14:29for photo shoots and things like that
0:14:29 > 0:14:31which would have recovered some of these costs,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35which, again, now is not possible at all.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Overall...
0:14:38 > 0:14:42We have subsidised the squatters by approximately £20,000.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Julien has now obtained a writ of possession from the courts,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51which means he can legally evict the squatters, but even so,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55he's made one last-ditch effort to get them to leave peacefully.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00We were saying, "Look, we've got now all the paperwork in place,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03"tomorrow, we can get the team to literally throw you out.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07"We thought we'd come, you know, it would save us some money,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09"save you some hassle,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12"let's come to some agreement maybe next week or something.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16"You know, you can move out without having to go through that."
0:15:16 > 0:15:20They were very much defiant.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25I think by now I feel that I'm probably being a bit naive and...
0:15:26 > 0:15:29And they're just, you know, taking advantage.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33It's now down to the sheriffs to finish the job.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Julien's sure that one way or another,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37he'll get the property back,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40but he's worried about what state it might be in.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44The squatters have now been in the property for nearly a month,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46a month and a half, maybe nearly two months?
0:15:46 > 0:15:48We have been told by neighbours
0:15:48 > 0:15:51that there are approximately 30 people in there,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54dogs as well, so we don't know how bad it's going to be.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59While the squatters are asleep,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02the sheriffs are getting ready to make their move.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Team leader Mark King is no stranger to the tricks
0:16:04 > 0:16:07squatters can employ to keep the authorities out,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10so he's doing a recce with locksmith Andy
0:16:10 > 0:16:13to find out what they might be up against,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15and it doesn't look good.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Just had a look, all the shutters around the front and the side
0:16:18 > 0:16:21are padlocked or locked up.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22Don't look like they're being used.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26There are two doors which are both locked,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29but they're barricaded on the inside.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Barricaded doors are bad news for the sheriffs.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39They want to gain access quickly and quietly
0:16:39 > 0:16:42before the squatters are awake and can cause any trouble.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45So Mark needs to choose which of the doors
0:16:45 > 0:16:48he thinks will be the easiest for the team to force open.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Just get the door open.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53He opts for one which he thinks the squatters might be using
0:16:53 > 0:16:57to go in and out themselves, and gives the go-ahead.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58Knock it in.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03The door is putting up a fight, but persistence pays off.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07And with a bit of elbow grease, the sheriffs manage to prise it open.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11All right. Hold on, hold on.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15What's behind it, though, is going to be much more of a problem.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17That ain't the way they're coming in, then.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20The doorway's thoroughly barricaded.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24The sheriffs throw everything at it they can.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28Someone else give it a go.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33But they've lost the element of surprise,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36so Mark might as well appeal to the squatters directly.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Right, listen, fellas.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40We're enforcement officers with a High Court writ.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44We're coming in. You need to start packing up your stuff, yeah?
0:17:45 > 0:17:49What the sheriffs don't want is to give the squatters enough time
0:17:49 > 0:17:50to create any more obstacles...
0:17:52 > 0:17:55..especially as the heavily fortified barricade
0:17:55 > 0:17:59they're already up against isn't showing any signs of budging.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Keep going at that one.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Mark can't afford to waste any more time,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08so turns his attention to the shutters instead.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13That doesn't prove to be much easier, but eventually,
0:18:13 > 0:18:17they managed to force a gap just wide enough to squeeze through.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- All right, we're in, we're in.- Go, go, go.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Once inside, they set about waking everyone up and moving them out.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Right, you need to pack your stuff straightaway.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32You've got ten minutes.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34All right, fella, get your stuff packed up.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36You need to leave, yeah?
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Half-asleep squatters aren't the easiest to get motivated.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46And it's not only people that need to leave.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48We've got dogs, yeah.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49- Yeah, three upstairs.- All right. OK.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54As the squatters slowly start to get their possessions together,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Mark reviews his tactical entry.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01We chose the wrong door, really, didn't we?!
0:19:01 > 0:19:05But you can't, you can't tell until you get inside.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08I mean, we would have got through that eventually.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Either way, they're in,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and it seems like the squatters accept the game's up.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17They were throwing stuff against the door first off,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21but once we're in, they're just packing up, aren't they?
0:19:21 > 0:19:22Because they know what's happening.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27The sheriffs' priority now
0:19:27 > 0:19:31is to try to get the squatters to remove as many of their possessions
0:19:31 > 0:19:34as possible, preferably quickly.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35Well, ideally...
0:19:37 > 0:19:38..we don't want them to be here too long,
0:19:38 > 0:19:43because the longer we're here, the more it's costing the client, but...
0:19:45 > 0:19:48..on the other hand, we want them to take their possessions,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50because if they've got their stuff,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53then they're not going to want to get back in here.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56DOG BARKS
0:19:56 > 0:19:58And this group certainly has a lot of stuff.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05While the squatters' possessions pile up on the pavement outside,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Mark has a look around the premises.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11He's seen worse, but like many squatted premises,
0:20:11 > 0:20:12it's been left in a bit of a state.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16One of their bedrooms,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19which is probably some old office or something.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Normally, they take their mattresses with them,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25but they've not bothered this time.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27So far, things are all going smoothly enough.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Just when it looks like this eviction
0:20:29 > 0:20:31might pass without incident,
0:20:31 > 0:20:33the mood starts to change.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Just come and go, get your stuff, if you carry on, listen,
0:20:37 > 0:20:38if you carry on playing up, yeah,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40it's going to affect other people getting their stuff, OK?
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Come and get your stuff as you need to, and that's it.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Another of the squatters isn't keen on having their 15 minutes of fame,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49and is obstructing our cameraman.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- Just leave her alone.- No, I'm in the street, you're not police,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54you do your job, this is a public highway.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Yeah, it's a public highway.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59When the sheriffs step in, tempers flare.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Don't touch me, not in a public place, don't touch me.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04I'm not touching anything.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05Not touching anything.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Hey, hey, hey, hey!
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Look, just calm down, fellas.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- Do you want to get arrested?- Why?
0:21:12 > 0:21:13Do you want to get arrested?
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- We're in the street.- Well then, stop.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18You don't want to make things worse for everyone else out here.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21The squatters are becoming more and more agitated.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24The situation is starting to turn ugly.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Watch me! Hey, hey, hey!
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Try and burn me again with it, and I will chuck it.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- No.- You don't... You are grabbing me.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34You just tried to burn me with your cigarette.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Don't grab me. This woman is grabbing me.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37I'm not doing anything.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40No-one else to go back in now.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42No-one goes in now, Rupert.
0:21:42 > 0:21:43What?
0:21:43 > 0:21:44Take a step back.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- What?- Take a step back, take a step back.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48No-one's going back in there because she's messing about.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Enough is enough.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54With some of the squatters getting aggressive,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58the sheriffs take the decision not to let anyone else back in.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Whatever possessions are inside will have to be left behind.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06So it's now all the more important the building's well and truly secured,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09so they don't break back in later.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Locksmith Andy's already on the case,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16and there is at least one door where the job's been done for him.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Yeah, a bit of barricading from the front.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21So I don't think Andy will do anything with that,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23because it's as good as it's going to be.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29As the new locks go on, the squatters start to disperse.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32But just as it appears that the tensions have been defused,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36one man who was causing trouble earlier comes back for more...
0:22:36 > 0:22:37A MAN SHOUTS
0:22:37 > 0:22:41..kicking our cameraman in the shins as a parting shot.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43We don't care. You're not welcome.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46He's just doing his job. Leave him alone.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48That's the last we see of him, though,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50and as the final stragglers head on their way,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53the sheriffs' work is done.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55All the locks have been changed.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59All the padlocks, exterior locks, door locks, everything.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00The property's secure.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Um...
0:23:02 > 0:23:05just got to sign vacant possession to the client,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07and then it's time for breakfast.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13The property is now back in the hands of the owner,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and, a few weeks later, we're catching up with him.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Julien says the damage turned out to be far worse
0:23:20 > 0:23:21than he had feared.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26You had the alarm system that they ripped out,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32you had the copper pipes, which were pretty much running all across,
0:23:32 > 0:23:33that they nicked.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37You know, chopped them off, sold for scrap, I guess.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40The worst was actually all the rubbish that we had to get rid of.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44That was probably about £3,000 to get rid of it.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50But with the clear-up complete, the space is now usable once more.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53It's being hired for photo shoots as planned,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56while the details of the redevelopment are finalised.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Julien is relieved to have his project back on track.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02I'm really happy I got the place back.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06It was pretty much two months of delay,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09but it's now behind us.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11I have to thank the sheriffs very much
0:24:11 > 0:24:14for their...for their help.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16And for giving us the space back, really.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Goods and services must meet expectations,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34or else the buyer is usually entitled to their money back.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Much of the sheriffs' work concerns cases like these,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and while they might feel they've seen it all,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42there are still jobs that throw up surprises.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48In the South-east, enforcement agents Lawrence Grix
0:24:48 > 0:24:51and Kev McNally are heading into the countryside.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54We are in Horsham in West Sussex today.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58We're going to West Sussex Livery.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01The debt is relating to...
0:25:05 > 0:25:06HE CHUCKLES
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Is that a wind-up?
0:25:09 > 0:25:11What is the debt relating to?
0:25:13 > 0:25:14Kev can barely believe it,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17but the dispute began with the purchase of some
0:25:17 > 0:25:21horse semen, as Lawrence explains.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Apparently, our claimant's mare, um,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28was due to be impregnated by the debtor's stallion.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31I don't know if it was artificial or if they actually covered the mare.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34But the mare didn't get pregnant.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39Test results on the stallion's semen revealed it was substandard,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42and was therefore unlikely to result in a pregnancy.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45This is basically the money she paid for the...
0:25:46 > 0:25:48..for the duff semen.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50THEY LAUGH
0:25:51 > 0:25:56It may not be your typical case, but the law works the same nonetheless.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58After the mare's owner was refused a refund,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02she took West Sussex Livery to court - and won.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05That was six months ago, and with costs and fees,
0:26:05 > 0:26:09the stables now owes £2,273.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Kev reckons he's got a pretty good idea of what assets
0:26:16 > 0:26:18they're likely to find.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21There's going to be stuff to remove at a stables, you presume.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27I suppose, potentially, horses but, in reality,
0:26:27 > 0:26:28that's not going to be happening.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31But if that's the only asset they've got, we have to take it.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33We're not going to take any horses.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34THEY LAUGH
0:26:36 > 0:26:39As they approach the location the claimant's given them,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Lawrence realises they've got a problem.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Access to the stables seems to be through a neighbouring farm,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49and the sheriffs aren't entitled to just go wherever they like.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52The stables are out the back here.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54But we can't cross third-party premises to get into
0:26:54 > 0:26:56where we're going.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58We can't cross somebody else's land.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01At least not without their permission.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04The sheriffs pull up outside a back entrance to the farm
0:27:04 > 0:27:06and try their luck.
0:27:08 > 0:27:09See, it's shut.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13The sheriffs might have stumbled at the first fence.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16If they were to get into the property improperly,
0:27:16 > 0:27:21any subsequent action they take could be overturned by a judge.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22Here, go on, hop up. Just...
0:27:23 > 0:27:25pull yourself up and have a butchers.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31But the law doesn't stop them from taking a look.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34- The door's open here.- Oh, what, the door into the building?
0:27:35 > 0:27:38There's someone... The door's open here.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Is it? Hello?!
0:27:40 > 0:27:42There's no answer.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45But Kev's pretty sure they're in the right place.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48I did see one of the horses' heads sticking out.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51I'm not sure if it was the, uh,
0:27:51 > 0:27:52the horse in question.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55From his elevated position,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Kev has also spotted a track which might be another way in.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04They get back in the van and go and look for a second entrance.
0:28:05 > 0:28:06If we go out of the lane,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09turn left back the way we came...
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- Yeah.- Oh, this is it, Yeah, look, look, look.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15This is exactly where we were knocking.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18They've found it, and it doesn't look like they'll have any problem
0:28:18 > 0:28:19getting in after all.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21That gate will open.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24- Shall I go in that way?- Yes, please, mate, yeah.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Having finally found the premises, they head in to look for the owner,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34a woman called Anne Hawes.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Hello?
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Hello?
0:28:39 > 0:28:41- Hello?- Anybody around?
0:28:41 > 0:28:44But the only signs of life are either equine...
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Horses. Big heads.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47..or canine.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49There's dogs here.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Hello, pups.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56They might be cute but the sheriffs didn't come here for puppies.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- Hello?- There's no sign of anybody, is there?
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Deserted.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Where is everyone, Lawrence?
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- Don't know, mate.- Do you not think that's odd?
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Someone has been here recently. Everything's open,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13there's half a dozen horses and the stables are clearly working.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17Whether they've made themselves scarce after seeing the sheriffs
0:29:17 > 0:29:21arrive, or just popped out for lunch, without making contact,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25there's not much Lawrence and Kev can do.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Feel like we're in the Walking Dead.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31I can't believe there's nobody here.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38They're in a sticky situation. The animals and equipment here
0:29:38 > 0:29:40could well belong to clients of the stables,
0:29:40 > 0:29:44and there's no way of knowing what, if anything, belongs to the debtor.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- I don't think anyone's here, Lawrence.- I don't.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Lawrence has a number for the woman
0:29:49 > 0:29:52who runs the place, but gets no answer.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54This is a message for Anne Hawes.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57My name is Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement agent.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59I've got a High Court writ against West Sussex Livery.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02I'm actually at the stables at the moment.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Would you be able to ring me back, please,
0:30:04 > 0:30:06or return to the stables immediately, please,
0:30:06 > 0:30:08so that we can deal with this? Thank you.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Kev makes a final desperate plea to get someone's attention.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16HE BEEPS HORN
0:30:19 > 0:30:22But even that goes unheard.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25It appears deserted but you wouldn't expect them to just disappear,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28so we're just going to sit here for a little while in case somebody
0:30:28 > 0:30:31comes back. Or as is sometimes the case,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33on jobs like this,
0:30:33 > 0:30:35the first thing you know is the police turn up.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38People put in a call to the police saying "Oh, there's people on my
0:30:38 > 0:30:41"land, there's people doing this, people doing that."
0:30:44 > 0:30:45After waiting it out,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48there's still no sign of either the police or the debtor.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52And eventually, they have to call it a day.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55They take down the registration numbers of the vehicles here
0:30:55 > 0:30:57so that they can run some checks.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Lawrence prepares some paperwork, and with nowhere better to leave it,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Kev tucks it under the gate latch as they leave.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Anyone getting in is seeing that.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11The job might seem like it's a bit of a 'mare but, in fact,
0:31:11 > 0:31:13it turns out to be quite the opposite.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18While the sheriffs never managed to meet Ms Hawes in person,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21the paperwork does have the desired effect.
0:31:21 > 0:31:26Shortly after their visit, she paid the £2,273 owing,
0:31:26 > 0:31:29and the claimant has finally got their money back.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37If you've won a County Court Judgment and haven't been paid,
0:31:37 > 0:31:41for £66, you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51They've got special powers of entry.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59£1.6 million.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04If they're successful, they'll recover your money and costs
0:32:04 > 0:32:05from the debtor.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Have you got the cash now, then?
0:32:07 > 0:32:10As well as their own fees, which are set by the government.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- She's paid, the judgment is settled. - Thank you very much.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:32:16 > 0:32:20they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Back in Barnet, Sheriff Ken Warby is still in a high-street locksmiths -
0:32:28 > 0:32:30All Service For You Ltd -
0:32:30 > 0:32:35trying to convince the boss to pay up £2,311.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39He says he's happy to pay the original court award,
0:32:39 > 0:32:42but not the extra fees incurred after he didn't pay and the case was
0:32:42 > 0:32:44transferred to the sheriffs.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47He's adamant he's not going to pay our charges at all.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50He'll pay the debt, he's not going to pay our charges.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53He's spoken to his solicitor. His solicitor has advised him to pay.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56But he's still not having it, he's just being very stubborn.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58The police are still on their way because he says no-one's going
0:32:58 > 0:33:01to be removing goods from here. Hopefully, when the police turn up,
0:33:01 > 0:33:04they will advise him that we can remove goods from here
0:33:04 > 0:33:06and he'll pay the debt in full.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Sorry, sir. I'm going to have to crack on with this.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18So your charges will now apply, OK? You have been warned.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Ken calls for a removal truck...
0:33:21 > 0:33:23meaning even more fees.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26And he begins to make an inventory of assets in the shop.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29But the boss isn't being very helpful.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Let's start with the key machine over there.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42So, show me proof it's not yours.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49OK. And the stock, for example?
0:33:50 > 0:33:51OK.
0:33:54 > 0:33:55Not really, not if we can help it.
0:33:57 > 0:33:58You sure have.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Ken's not sure of a door lock's auction value,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06but he's likely to need a lot of them to get close to the value of
0:34:06 > 0:34:10the debt. So he needs to list everything he can find.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Only the boss isn't happy with him looking around.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14I can go wherever I want, mate.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20It's under the same roof.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25The man once again sends our camera outside...
0:34:31 > 0:34:34..locks the doors and closes the shutters.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Ken puts another call in to the police.
0:34:40 > 0:34:41And they arrive shortly afterwards.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48Hello?
0:34:50 > 0:34:52Hello, it's the police.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54Can you open the door, please? Thank you.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00The police are let in, and it's still a relatively good-natured
0:35:00 > 0:35:03atmosphere inside. But as the boss continues to repeat
0:35:03 > 0:35:07the same arguments Ken's been listening to for the past two and a half hours,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09patience is wearing thin.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14The eventual sight of the removal truck is welcome relief.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Ken's hoping that will provide the incentive for the boss to pay.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Come in when you're ready, mate.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26With a police escort, Ken and the removals man get to work.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30But even when faced with the prospect of an almost completely
0:35:30 > 0:35:33empty store, the boss still doesn't cave in.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39Now the police have arrived, now the removal guy's arrived,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42he's now claiming that there's other companies in here that own
0:35:42 > 0:35:47certain things, so we're looking for invoices and stuff on that now as proof.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49It's looking at the moment like he's not going to pay it.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52He's digging his heels in, so I'm going to have to do the same.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56And so the excruciating task of comparing thousands of locks and
0:35:56 > 0:35:59parts against individual receipts continues.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Finally, as the first box of his stuff is set down in the lorry,
0:36:04 > 0:36:08the boss reaches for his credit card and pays in full.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10The saga is finally over.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14He thought as soon as the police turn up that we would have to go.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18I started listing stuff inside, the guy turned up to remove them,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21and his bottle went. I knew he would pay in the end.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Despite a judge rejecting his appeal,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32the man is still convinced he's in the right.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36He says Mr Mullany tried to get the damage done to his door fixed after
0:36:36 > 0:36:38their standard guarantee had expired.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54But he's not helped himself.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58By failing to pay when he was ordered to after the first court hearing,
0:36:58 > 0:37:00and again when Ken turned up this morning,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03his final bill is more than double the original judgment.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08He ended up paying a whopping...
0:37:08 > 0:37:10Drumroll...
0:37:10 > 0:37:12£3,993.52.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16He's had full fees on there. Stupid, really,
0:37:16 > 0:37:18because all that could have been avoided.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20All he wanted to do was pay the debt.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22He didn't want to pay any of our charges at all.
0:37:22 > 0:37:27And the upshot was, he's ended up paying a hell of a lot more than
0:37:27 > 0:37:32what I originally went in there for, to the tune of over £1,500.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36The boss might be wishing today had panned out differently,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39but back in Stockport, his customer, Pete Mullany,
0:37:39 > 0:37:41is more than happy with the outcome.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44I'm just over the moon, really relieved.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48The main thing now is to get this door repaired.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51If I'm honest with you, I would have done the door before but I genuinely
0:37:51 > 0:37:54thought it might be used as evidence at some point.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57But I'm already intending to get a lad that I know quite well to come
0:37:57 > 0:37:58and fix the door.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01I think everyone has a good laugh at it when they come in
0:38:01 > 0:38:04now and see the state that it's in at the minute.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16While Ken's been embroiled in a stand-off at the locksmiths,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20in the Midlands, enforcement agents Craig Wild and Tommy Coyle have a
0:38:20 > 0:38:23very different kind of job on their hands.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26They've got another writ of control for a company
0:38:26 > 0:38:29which has fallen behind with payments to a supplier.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32We're in Leicester today.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Off to see a company called Freedom Clothing Ltd.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39The amount of money that's outstanding, just short of £11,000.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Freedom Clothing Ltd owes a debt to Jerseytex Ltd,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46who've gone to court to get their money.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Freedom Clothing didn't defend the case,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51so a default judgment was awarded against them.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55They now owe £10,909.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Tommy and Craig are on their way to collect.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02If they can find the place.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Here we are, then. What are we looking for?
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Freedom Clothing Ltd.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- It's number eight.- Is it?- Yeah. It's number eight.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19But when they can't find it, Craig has another look at the writ.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- We're looking for number...- Nine.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24- Eh?- It's back there, behind us now.
0:39:27 > 0:39:32Despite Craig's best efforts, the sheriffs locate the premises.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34We're there, kid. We're there, kid.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36There's parking right outside as well.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40- Drop it here.- I'm dropping it under here, yeah.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42I think the gate's to the right, uh, to the left, mate,
0:39:42 > 0:39:45- we just saw. The back door. - Is this it?
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Are you all right? Is it Freedom Clothing Ltd?
0:39:51 > 0:39:53- Yeah.- Enforcement agent.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58Tommy heads to the office to tell the boss it's time to pay up.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- You all right, guys? Yeah.- It's to do with a High Court order.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05- Yeah.- In the company name.- Yes.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10It's regarding Jerseytex Ltd, that's the creditor.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17You can speak to them... At the moment...
0:40:19 > 0:40:21You paid it in full to them, did you?
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Yeah, at the moment,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31it's been issued as a High Court order and they've instructed us...
0:40:31 > 0:40:34- I can...- By all means, yeah. If you want to call them.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38There seems to be some confusion, but our camera is asked to leave
0:40:38 > 0:40:40before Tommy can make sense of the man's story.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46Inside, the company insists that they have an agreement with their
0:40:46 > 0:40:49creditor and that they don't have to pay the sheriffs.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52But they're not going to just take his word for it.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55We haven't been notified of any arrangements.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59If it hasn't been paid and the claimant says that there's no
0:40:59 > 0:41:03arrangement in place, then our instructions are to carry on.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07It's a small sort of textile workshop,
0:41:07 > 0:41:10with probably about 10-15 machines at the back.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15If they haven't got the funds, then we will be looking to remove it.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Whatever arrangement Freedom Clothing Ltd might think
0:41:19 > 0:41:21they have to clear their debt,
0:41:21 > 0:41:24from experience, the sheriffs know that in most cases like these,
0:41:24 > 0:41:27they've been called out because the debtor has failed to keep up with
0:41:27 > 0:41:29payments. And sure enough,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32that's exactly what seems to have happened here.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Director's on the phone to the claimant because he's claiming he
0:41:35 > 0:41:36had some sort of arrangement in place.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40Tommy's spoken to the claimant and it transpired that the arrangement
0:41:40 > 0:41:43they had in place, they've defaulted on,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46so they want us to carry on.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Their High Court writ means the sheriffs can now insist the debt's
0:41:49 > 0:41:51paid off in full.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Given the valuable assets in the unit,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57and the company's previous failure to keep up with promised payments,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01they don't plan to settle for anything less.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03He's struggling to try and raise the money.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06And in my view, he hasn't made sufficient efforts at the moment.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09He's focusing his energies on trying to go back onto an arrangement
0:42:09 > 0:42:13plan. Once we've actually focused his mind,
0:42:13 > 0:42:17I'm sure he'll actually be able to get the money together.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20The threat of his machines being removed soon does the trick.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25The boss provides evidence of a £2,500 payment
0:42:25 > 0:42:27that he's already made,
0:42:27 > 0:42:29and once that's deducted from the bill,
0:42:29 > 0:42:31he manages to come up with the rest of the money.
0:42:31 > 0:42:36Yeah, it went pretty well. The gentleman was quite cooperative.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38He had already made a payment.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42It was just ironing out and making sure we could see evidence of that
0:42:42 > 0:42:44payment he had already made to the claimant.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46If he could produce that,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49we actually had a quick conversation with the claimant as well,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52we verified this, but they specify the payment needs to be paid in full
0:42:52 > 0:42:56and he needs to deal with ourselves. And that's what he did.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58He paid the balance in full.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02Which was a £5,500 transfer and £3,000 in cash.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05The supplier will now get the money they're owed.