0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Meet the sheriffs.- My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:06It's to do with a High Court order...
0:00:06 > 0:00:10They work for the High Court, and if it says you're owed money,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12it's their job to go and get it.
0:00:12 > 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 > 0:00:21How are you going to pay it?
0:00:21 > 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 > 0:00:34I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36The door needs to stay open.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Every year in England and Wales,
0:00:39 > 0:00:42unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million
0:00:42 > 0:00:45are recovered by the sheriffs.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Coming up...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Mark Parsons bought a duff Alfa Romeo.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58It was pushing water out the expansion tank, it was misfiring.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01The thing was, that he didn't want to pay up.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Lawrence visits the car dealer and lays down the law.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07As it stands at the moment, it's still an active company,
0:01:07 > 0:01:08you're still the director of it,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11so it's 100% your responsibility to deal with it.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13The sheriffs take on a group of squatters
0:01:13 > 0:01:15in the heart of central London.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- Devil worship! - THEY ALL SHOUT
0:01:18 > 0:01:19Devil worship!
0:01:19 > 0:01:24In 30 minutes' time, you are going to be leaving this property.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Lawrence and Kev chase an insurance pay-out
0:01:27 > 0:01:30for a family involved in a car crash.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Just as I was approaching a roundabout,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35the guy came out from the left and there was no way I could get out the way.
0:01:35 > 0:01:41And Tommy and Craig track down a vet who owes money to a former employee.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Here we go. Mrs Mulvey? She's still living here, isn't she?
0:01:48 > 0:01:51While most of their workload involves unpaid debts,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53High Court enforcement agents can also act
0:01:53 > 0:01:57in cases of unlawful occupation of land or property,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59commonly known as squatting.
0:02:00 > 0:02:01And early this morning the sheriffs
0:02:01 > 0:02:05are gathering in a car park in Camden, in central London,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07to enforce one of these jobs.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10We've got a double gate roughly there, yeah?
0:02:10 > 0:02:14A single gate there, the double gate is where we're going to go in.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Under the guidance of team leader Mark King,
0:02:17 > 0:02:19they're here to evict a group of squatters
0:02:19 > 0:02:22who've set up camp on a nearby plot of land.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Not sure what it was originally -
0:02:24 > 0:02:26maybe a garden centre or something like that.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31I believe the people were allowed in to stay there first off, but,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33for whatever reason, the client now wants the land back.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37The squatters are thought to have been there for at least two years.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40The owner of the land has been unable to persuade them to leave
0:02:40 > 0:02:43peacefully, and so now has obtained a writ of possession,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47authorising the sheriffs to get the site back for him.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51We're looking at about 30, possibly 40 people in there.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Not sure until we get there, to be honest.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56I had a look past this morning,
0:02:56 > 0:02:57the gate isn't even locked.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59It could be that they've all gone.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01We'll see when we get round there.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07The squat's a short drive away, and it has a number of entrances,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09so the sheriffs are splitting up.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Andrew, give me an update, mate. Are you by gate three?
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Right, everybody ready, yeah?
0:03:16 > 0:03:18And once they're all in position...
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- Right, we all fit? - ..it's time to go in.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21Right, let's go.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34As expected, they have no problem getting past the gate,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36but before they rouse the occupants,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39they want to be sure they've got the whole ground covered.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41The tent's going to be over the other side there,
0:03:41 > 0:03:42so you go and sort that.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Give us a shout once you're round there.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Once the site's secure,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50they issue the wake-up call that's every squatter's worst nightmare.
0:03:50 > 0:03:51High Court enforcement.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54High Court enforcement. Time to wake up!
0:03:54 > 0:03:55High Court enforcement.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- Morning, mate. - High Court enforcement.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58All right?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01You need to pack your stuff up, you need to vacate, OK?
0:04:01 > 0:04:02Quick as you can, please. Thank you.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05The dazed occupants have been caught off-guard.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06Pack your stuff up as quick as you can.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07And at first glance,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10it doesn't look like they're planning to cause any trouble,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12but the sheriffs aren't going to be letting their guard down until they
0:04:12 > 0:04:15know exactly what they're dealing with.
0:04:15 > 0:04:16How many have we, do you think?
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I don't know yet, but they're all over the place.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22They're up in the attic on this bit.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24The site is littered with makeshift structures,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27so it's hard to know where people might be,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30and the last thing the sheriffs want is any surprises.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Open the door, mate.
0:04:32 > 0:04:33Yeah, I'm on that.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- I'm packing up, brother. - OK, all right, OK.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38If you can just leave the door open.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- Yeah.- This fella here, he's going to stay with you,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43just make sure you're getting on with it, OK?
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- How long do we have, brother?- We're going to give you about an hour.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- OK?- OK.- All right, thank you.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53At first, it seems the squatters are cooperative, if a little eccentric.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00They're quite happy, aren't they, most of them?
0:05:00 > 0:05:02They're sort of free spirits, aren't they, I suppose?
0:05:02 > 0:05:04I suppose that's what you call them.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06But Mark might have spoken too soon,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10as one occupant seems to be dragging his heels.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11Have you got all your stuff?
0:05:11 > 0:05:15I've got it here somewhere, but I'm not very happy about it.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Well, I'm sorry I've upset you, but get on with it.
0:05:17 > 0:05:18Have you got a family home?
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- Yeah, they're all in bed at the moment.- Yeah?
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- Just get on with it, mate. - Don't touch my arm. I'm going.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Right, you need to start packing your stuff up.
0:05:26 > 0:05:27Yeah, I've done it already.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- I don't care...- You were given two ears and one mouth for a reason. Please listen.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34I said I've packed it up already and I'm going to pick it up and leave.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Rather than standing around arguing, can you actually show me you're doing that?
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- I'm not arguing, I'm just telling you friendly.- If you carry on, you'll be removed from the site.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44No-one was expecting the squatters to be pleased,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48but the sheriffs need to be on the lookout for tempers running out of control.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52There's an element of wounded pride, so you can almost expect them to
0:05:52 > 0:05:55push back a little bit, but it's just how far.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58One man, who's been living in a tent in the yard,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00is refusing to pack his things
0:06:00 > 0:06:02and is claiming the eviction isn't legal.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I'd love to speak to you in truth and honour,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07because I know that this documentation is unlawful.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09I've studied law for three decades,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11and I unfortunately know that the entire legal system
0:06:11 > 0:06:15of your country is now in such gross fraud that we've stood away from it.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Take a breath, mate, take a breath. It's a High Court writ, OK?
0:06:18 > 0:06:19Stamped by the court.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22The man claims that the squat has declared itself
0:06:22 > 0:06:26an independent country, so he isn't bound by English law.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28You want to kill me,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31you want to exile me from the land I've built for the last three years,
0:06:31 > 0:06:32which we found abandoned.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- It's not your...- ..and brought back to life.- The land doesn't belong to you.- The land is God's.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39But a philosophical debate isn't on the sheriffs' agenda.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- At ten to six... - No-one wants to hear.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44..that's in 30 minutes' time, OK,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46you are going to be leaving this property.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47If you want to take your stuff with you...
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- How do I live?- ..you need to start to pack it up.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- You've got 30 minutes. - How do I live?
0:06:52 > 0:06:55The sheriffs can use reasonable force if necessary,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57but it's a situation they'd rather avoid,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01so Mark is hoping his ultimatum will have the desired effect.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05I've explained to him what he needs to do.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06He's not really listening, so I think...
0:07:06 > 0:07:08I've given him 30 minutes to start to pack up.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11If he's starting to pack up within those 30 minutes, fine.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15We'll see at ten to six, see what happens.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Later, can the sheriffs persuade the man to leave peacefully?
0:07:20 > 0:07:22The projected image that this man's sending to me
0:07:22 > 0:07:24is absolutely despicable.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26You know I read minds, don't you? And I read yours,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and it's not pleasant. Please, take it away.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36In the south-east, enforcement agents
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are on the road.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41They're on the outskirts of London,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43heading to what looks like a bread-and-butter job,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46but which is about to become much more complicated
0:07:46 > 0:07:48than they might imagine.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50We're in Croydon today.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53We're going to Pinewood Used Cars Limited.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57We're looking for £3,424 today.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00We believe this is to do with the sale of a second-hand car.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04The claimant in the case is Mark Parsons,
0:08:04 > 0:08:08a garage worker from Luton with a passion for Italian cars.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11His involvement with Pinewood Used Cars Limited
0:08:11 > 0:08:14began when he was looking to buy an Alfa Romeo
0:08:14 > 0:08:16and found them advertising one for sale.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18The car was going to be a second car.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21It was just for, like, going out at the weekends or, you know,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25if we needed it. From the picture in their advert it looked like a very
0:08:25 > 0:08:27nice car, and they gave a very good write up of it.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30It was a red Alfa, so who doesn't like red Alfas?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Mark made the trip down to Croydon,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40where he met the garage's boss, Adam Neave,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and a salesman called Ryan, who showed him the car.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45It was in very good condition.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I work in a garage, so I've got a generally good idea of cars.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50I checked it through quite thoroughly,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52but everything seemed to be all right.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53They said, "Do you want to test drive it?"
0:08:53 > 0:08:55but the thing was that there wasn't much fuel in it,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58it was right on empty, so you couldn't really take it anywhere.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00So I just took it 500 yards down the road,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03turned round and came back again.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Mark liked what he'd seen, paid £4,000 for the car
0:09:06 > 0:09:08and drove it home.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13The car drove OK, but when I got here, outside my house,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16I stopped and there was steam coming out the bonnet.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Straightaway, Mark phoned up Pinewood Used Cars Limited.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I told them what had happened, and they said,
0:09:22 > 0:09:23"Oh, it's just a twisted hose or whatever".
0:09:23 > 0:09:26I said, "No, I think the head gasket's gone on this car".
0:09:26 > 0:09:29They said "No, it's just a twisted hose. Take it to your local garage".
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Mark did exactly that.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34His local garage agreed it was a head gasket
0:09:34 > 0:09:37and said it would cost £1,300 to fix.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40But when Mark phoned Pinewood they said they could
0:09:40 > 0:09:43get it done cheaper, and collected the car.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46They had the car for two weeks and brought it back,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48but the car was still exactly the same.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51It was pushing water out the expansion tank, it was misfiring,
0:09:51 > 0:09:55it was just doing exactly the same things as what it was before.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59When he complained, Pinewood Used Cars Limited did offer him a refund,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02but minus £500.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04He was saying that he'd had costs involved,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06that he'd had to come and pick the car up from here.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10I was quite annoyed, because the car wasn't fit for purpose,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13so they are supposed to pay you
0:10:13 > 0:10:16the exact price that you paid for the car, not knock £500 off it.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Mark decided to get a second opinion
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and took the car to an Alfa specialist.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24They said that the head gasket had gone, which I knew already,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26and they said, "No, you can't take the car away,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28"because if you drive the car,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31"the water will get into the oxygen sensors and it will ruin the engine.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33"So you've got to keep the car here".
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Three or four days later they rang me up to say the car was done
0:10:36 > 0:10:40and the bill to fix the car was £2,260,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44and I tried to get in contact with Pinewood but they just ignored me.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47For months, Mark tried to get the matter resolved
0:10:47 > 0:10:50with the help of the Citizens Advice Bureau,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54but he couldn't get the company to agree to pay for the repair,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57leaving him more than £2,000 out of pocket.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59I found it quite hard, because it was upsetting.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01You know, you work in garages,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03your professional pride is sort of upset,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06and it affected my, sort of, family life.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09I felt really depressed, I was really down,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11I had a few sleepless nights over it, yeah, yeah.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17In the end, Mark decided to sell the car and file a money claim against
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Pinewood Used Cars Limited.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21The company attended court and defended the case,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24but it was to be Mark's day.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26The judge decided that I was right,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28I won the case and this Adam Neave and Ryan
0:11:28 > 0:11:33would have to pay me the money that I'd paid out, plus costs.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36But they haven't, leaving Mark with only one option.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40The sheriffs are my last hope of getting the money.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51In Croydon, Lawrence and Kev are on the way
0:11:51 > 0:11:53to Pinewood Used Cars Limited.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55From the brief details they've been given,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58they're not sure what lies ahead.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02The address we're going to could possibly not be a commercial site,
0:12:02 > 0:12:04it could be a house,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06but we're hoping it's not going to be.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Sheriffs have fewer powers of entry at residential premises,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and it's unlikely there'd be much in the way of company assets
0:12:13 > 0:12:14at someone's home.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19As they approach their destination, it doesn't look good.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23443.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- 445 on the corner, isn't it? - There it is, down there.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32They park outside a row of houses and head in.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37But to their surprise, the address leads them through an alley...
0:12:38 > 0:12:39..into a yard...
0:12:41 > 0:12:45..with a cabin and several cars.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48For our sheriffs, things are looking up.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50All right, gents.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51My name is Mr Grix,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57We've got a High Court writ to execute against Pinewood Used Cars Limited.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00Mark Parsons.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Right, so you're not Pinewood Used Cars?
0:13:11 > 0:13:14It sounds like the company they're looking for has moved out.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17If so, this will have been a wasted trip.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19But Lawrence wants to know more.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21So you weren't anything to do with Pinewood?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Right, but you weren't the director?
0:13:28 > 0:13:29So you're Adam Neave, are you?
0:13:32 > 0:13:36So Lawrence is talking to the man who sold Mark his car after all.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40He says the company is no longer trading and has been liquidated.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43If so, then the writ wouldn't be enforceable,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45but when Lawrence looked it up earlier in the week,
0:13:45 > 0:13:47the company was still active.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50So he calls his office to check.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Can you just do a check on Creditsafe for me, please?
0:13:53 > 0:13:58Pinewood Used Cars, is it showing anything about liquidation?
0:13:58 > 0:14:01It isn't.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02Right, cheers.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Company liquidation doesn't happen overnight,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08so it could just be that the process hasn't been completed.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Whether Lawrence can enforce today will depend on how far it's got.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Mr Neave doesn't know, and say it's with his accountant.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19It's no good telling me the accountants are dealing with it.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22We need to have evidence that the company's in liquidation.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25As it stands at the moment, it's still an active company,
0:14:25 > 0:14:26you're still the director of it,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29so it's 100% your responsibility to deal with it.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32It's you that needs to provide whatever paperwork you've got,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35so whatever you've got, if you can dig that out for us.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39It quickly becomes clear that none of the paperwork is here.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40One of the men is on the phone,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43trying to get something e-mailed through from their accountant,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46who's apparently out for lunch.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50HE LAUGHS
0:14:51 > 0:14:54In the meantime, Lawrence ups the ante.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Right, what we need to do at the moment, then,
0:14:57 > 0:14:58until that paperwork comes through,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01is just establish ownership of the vehicles out there.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03There are several cars outside,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06and if any of them belong to Pinewood Used Cars Limited,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Lawrence could be onto a winner,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10but Mr Neave says they don't.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19So whose is the Skoda?
0:15:23 > 0:15:28According to Mr Neave, every vehicle here belongs to someone else.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29So who's bought the van?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Mr Neave seems to have all the answers,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38but there's something bugging Lawrence.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42It doesn't ring that true, when you turn up to a business,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44there's cars out there,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46none of them are for sale
0:15:46 > 0:15:49but there's three of you sitting in the sales office, you know?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Mr Neave says Pinewood Used Cars Limited is wound up
0:15:57 > 0:16:00and their new company isn't yet in business.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Lawrence isn't just going to take his word for it
0:16:03 > 0:16:06and begins making his own investigation.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08I've just been looking to see if any of the cars here
0:16:08 > 0:16:10are actually on Auto Trader, and they're not,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13which is where most car dealers sell their vehicles.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Kev, meanwhile, is shown Pinewood Used Cars Limited's bank account,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and it's overdrawn.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20So you're 800 and...
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Yeah, OK, it's all overdrawn, yeah, no balance.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Lawrence turns his attention to the filing cabinet.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29I just have to keep looking for any relevant paperwork that might show
0:16:29 > 0:16:32that you're still trading at the moment as Pinewood.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Everything you're saying adds up,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42but the fact is we've got, you know, half a dozen cars out there.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47No, so we have to assume they are.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Later, while the search goes on to try to find the paperwork...
0:16:50 > 0:16:52PHONE RINGS
0:16:52 > 0:16:54..Lawrence gets word from their accountant.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Have you paid for the liquidation, have you paid the fee?
0:16:58 > 0:16:59You haven't.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Using the County Courts to try to recover money you're owed isn't difficult.
0:17:13 > 0:17:161.5 million money claims are made every year in England and Wales,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship,
0:17:20 > 0:17:21to unpaid invoices.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence,
0:17:30 > 0:17:33and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34If you're successful,
0:17:34 > 0:17:39a County Court judgment - or CCJ - will be issued against the debtor,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42and if they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49In London, the sheriffs are at a squat in Camden Town.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Morning.- The man who owns the land originally allowed the squatters
0:17:52 > 0:17:54to stay, but now wants it back.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57He couldn't persuade the squatters to leave of their own accord,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59so he's got a writ of possession
0:17:59 > 0:18:01which empowers the sheriffs to evict them.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04As expected, they're not best pleased.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09We try to love this world, and,
0:18:09 > 0:18:15of course, the "good fellas" kick us out.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19But for the most part, the squatters appear to be leaving peacefully,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21with a couple of exceptions.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25You'll be removed.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27Physically.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Right, I have a bit of paper here - it's a High Court writ.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36It commands me to come onto this land...
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Right, I've told you, mate, what's happening.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40OK...
0:18:41 > 0:18:46I'm a free person and I have the right to live and be on this planet.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49And outside, another man isn't cooperating, either.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- Sorry?- The projected image and energy
0:18:51 > 0:18:54that this man's sending to me is absolutely despicable.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Can you please ask him to stand at least 12 feet away from me?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58If you were inside packing up,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00I wouldn't be anywhere near you, would I?
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Cos I will remain out here. I won't come inside.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05You know I read minds, don't you? And I read yours, and it's not pleasant.
0:19:05 > 0:19:06Please, take it away.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10The man previously told the sheriffs he doesn't recognise English law.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Now he says he won't leave until he finds his pet cat.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18Somewhere I have a very, very small kitten, it's tiny,
0:19:18 > 0:19:19and I need to find it.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21I can't even find it here.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23As soon as these people came on-site, she ran away.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25But kitten or no kitten,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28the man needs to pack his belongings if he wants to take them,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30and has so far refused to do so.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33The sheriffs' patience is running out.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35We'll keep hanging in with him, you know.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37We can keep playing his game for a little while,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39and eventually enough will be enough, where
0:19:39 > 0:19:41he may have to be helped off-site.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44And he's not the only squatter sailing close to the wind.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- If you touch me, sir...- Yeah.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47..and you want to remove me...
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- Yeah.- ..I don't know if that's the best thing to do,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52because obviously you don't have any powers.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53I do have power to do that.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55I don't think so.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57You don't think so, I'm telling you I have.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59You haven't gave me birth, sir, I'm really sorry,
0:19:59 > 0:20:00I have to ask my mum and my dad.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03But the sheriffs don't need his parents' permission.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07And as the man continues to be obstructive, enough is enough.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08I don't respond to you.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Don't touch me, don't touch me.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Come on, mate. You go and get your stuff...
0:20:15 > 0:20:16Don't touch me!
0:20:16 > 0:20:19I haven't said anything, I haven't done anything to you.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- Come on.- What are you doing?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23You're going, mate. You're too gobby.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25I'm not too gobby. Hey, what's going on there?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- You've had the opportunity. - What do you mean?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29He's not complying with what he should be doing
0:20:29 > 0:20:31and he's just standing around, being an issue.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35If he just carries on like that,
0:20:35 > 0:20:40the others are going to start sort of going along with his view.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46The man is convinced the sheriffs don't have any authority,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49and once outside, he calls the police.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53We have some people literally harassing us and attacking us.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56They're very dangerous. They pretend to have... They have some uniforms,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00you know, they pretend to be bailiffs or sheriffs or something,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02and it's a little bit of an illegal situation here,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05so we need to have some police here.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Meanwhile, back inside the squat,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10the sheriffs are still battling with the man in the tent,
0:21:10 > 0:21:12who now says he's ill.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- Are you unwell? - Yes, I am, seriously unwell.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- OK.- I really have been for the last three years.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- All right.- I'm suffering from consumption.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22I've only got 10% of my lung capacity left.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25I'm very, very hard pushed to breathe and when stressed,
0:21:25 > 0:21:26it makes it worse.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Take this man away from me, he's really upsetting me.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- All right.- He's really upsetting me!
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- He's gone now.- No, he hasn't!
0:21:33 > 0:21:34Right, he has now, OK?
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- Get him away from me. - All right, listen...
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- I mean, seriously.- Do you need medical assistance?
0:21:38 > 0:21:39I would love it,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42but it's not a case that your medical people could help me.
0:21:42 > 0:21:43I haven't got a name, they won't treat me,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- so it's not going to help.- Are you refusing...?- I don't have a name.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47Do you want me to get you an ambulance?
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- Yes or no?- I don't know what's going to happen, you may as well get me a hearse.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- Do you want me to get you an ambulance?- You may as well get me a hearse, I promise you.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Later, patience runs out with the man in the tent.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59I haven't done nothing to these people,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02they are now depriving me from any ability to live.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05And tempers flare as the site is secured.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07THEY CHANT
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Why are you destroying our garden?!
0:22:15 > 0:22:18In the Midlands, sheriffs Tommy Coyle
0:22:18 > 0:22:21and Craig Wild are heading into the Oxfordshire countryside
0:22:21 > 0:22:23to visit a residential address.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27This morning, it's an early one.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31We're off to go and see a Mrs Susan Mulvey,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34who is a vet.
0:22:34 > 0:22:40The debt itself is just short of £4,000.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43The debt is for wages owed to a former employee,
0:22:43 > 0:22:45and it's not the first time Mrs Mulvey
0:22:45 > 0:22:49has been in trouble over the treatment of her staff.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50In 2013,
0:22:50 > 0:22:55an employment tribunal awarded nearly £10,000 in compensation
0:22:55 > 0:22:58to another former worker, who was unfairly dismissed.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Mrs Mulvey didn't defend either case,
0:23:01 > 0:23:06and in this latest incident currently owes £3,943.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11We've been to the vets before,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14to the actual shop and the address where she trades from,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17left a notification because she was actually operating
0:23:17 > 0:23:20on an animal at the time, so we couldn't get to see her personally.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Since then she's never been in touch with us at all,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26so our office has done some background checks,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28to find out where her home address is,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30and that's where we're off to now.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34As the claimant sued Mrs Mulvey personally,
0:23:34 > 0:23:35rather than her business,
0:23:35 > 0:23:40catching her at home could be a good way to get the debt paid.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41That's the one.
0:23:41 > 0:23:42- In there, then.- In there.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45The sheriffs approach the house,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47first checking out the car on the driveway,
0:23:47 > 0:23:49but it's not that promising.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52That hasn't been moved for ages, mate, that hasn't.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55The sheriffs will need to find some other way
0:23:55 > 0:23:57of persuading the debtor to pay.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59If she's in.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Got milk here, so think someone's still here?
0:24:05 > 0:24:06Yeah.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10Here we go.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Good morning. Mrs Mulvey?
0:24:14 > 0:24:15Is she available?
0:24:19 > 0:24:21It's Mrs Mulvey's husband,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24and it seems like the vet has already left for work.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28She's still living here, isn't she? Could you get her on the phone? Because we've been given this
0:24:28 > 0:24:31as an enforcement address for her.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33I can wait here, yeah.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36It's not ideal that Mrs Mulvey's not here,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38but the sheriffs know all too well that their presence
0:24:38 > 0:24:40on the doorstep is often enough.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42He's going to get her on the phone now,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44and hopefully Tommy can have a chat with her over the phone
0:24:44 > 0:24:46and explain the situation to her.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Sure enough, the man returns with Mrs Mulvey on the line,
0:24:49 > 0:24:51and the sheriffs are invited in.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Thank you.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54Now that they're inside,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57they can't be told to leave and could seize assets,
0:24:57 > 0:24:59but hopefully it won't come to that.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Tommy's explaining the situation to her on the phone.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05They're trying to arrange the money as we speak.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09I don't think they've got the money themselves in one account,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11it may have to come from two or three accounts.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Mrs Mulvey needs to come up with close to £4,000 now,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19and it's not uncommon for debtors to struggle to raise
0:25:19 > 0:25:22enough funds on the spot.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25If she can't, then the sheriffs will have to decide whether to accept
0:25:25 > 0:25:29a part-payment for the time being, or stand their ground.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32But this time, that scenario is avoided.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Fantastic news for the claimant.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36He's transferred the money into one account
0:25:36 > 0:25:38and they paid on a debit card in full.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Ten months after winning their case in court,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Mrs Mulvey's former employee has finally got the wages they're owed.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51If you've won a County Court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55for £66 you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05They've got special powers of entry.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13£1.6 million.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16If they're successful,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19they'll recover your money and costs from the debtor...
0:26:19 > 0:26:20Have you got the cash now, then?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23..as well as their own fees, which are set by the Government.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25She's paid, the judgment is settled.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Thank you very much.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Lawrence and Kev are in Croydon,
0:26:41 > 0:26:47at a company called Pinewood Used Cars Limited, which owes £3,424.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Lawrence has been eyeing up the cars outside,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54but the director claims they don't belong to the company,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57which he says is in liquidation anyway.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Now Lawrence is being handed their accountant on the phone.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Hello, sir.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Right, how far down the road is this liquidation?
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Have you paid for the liquidation, have you paid the fee?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12You haven't?
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Yeah, well filing it in a week's time
0:27:14 > 0:27:16isn't going to help the gentleman here today.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19I don't know when you were instructed to liquidate the company,
0:27:19 > 0:27:20but obviously it hasn't happened.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23As far as we're concerned, and as far as the law's concerned,
0:27:23 > 0:27:25the process for liquidation hasn't even started.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28Thank you, bye-bye.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Right, we're back to the cars.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35With Pinewood Used Cars Limited still officially trading,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Mr Neave and his colleagues will now have to prove the cars outside
0:27:39 > 0:27:40don't belong to the company.
0:27:44 > 0:27:45Yeah.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47But it's not going to be that straightforward.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Apparently, some vehicles were bought by individuals,
0:27:51 > 0:27:53including Mr Neave and his father.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57Does he not keep his paperwork here, no?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Other cars belong to friends and relatives,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03so the men begin the painful process of trying to come up with all
0:28:03 > 0:28:05the paperwork Lawrence wants to see.
0:28:10 > 0:28:11Yeah.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Gradually, with a combination of receipts,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20logbooks and bank statements, they begin to piece it together.
0:28:21 > 0:28:232005, that's fine.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25It clearly hasn't been bought for stock.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27But their paperwork's all over the place.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39And making head or tail of it months down the line isn't easy.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53Nevertheless, despite the confusion, one by one,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55the cars begin to be ruled out.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59- Is that the one?- 3363.- 3363, that's that one.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00So we discard that one.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09Yeah, that's fine. That's that one off the list.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14The latest is, we've established all but one of the vehicles are nothing
0:29:14 > 0:29:16to do with the company we're after,
0:29:16 > 0:29:22and we're 99.9% sure the remaining vehicle is nothing to do with
0:29:22 > 0:29:23the company we're after,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26but Lawrence, being as he is,
0:29:26 > 0:29:30is waiting out, just for total confirmation.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36So we'll be leaving soon, hopefully.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38We've got 15, yeah? 15.08.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47It's the final bit of paperwork they need.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Satisfied he's applied his full diligence to the job,
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Lawrence finally calls it quits.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Cheers. It was a bit complicated,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58but eventually we managed to tie all the receipts together for the cars
0:29:58 > 0:29:59that were there of any value,
0:29:59 > 0:30:02and basically the director's father owns them.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05He bought them personally, with his personal money,
0:30:05 > 0:30:07out of his bank account.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11We've got bank statements, card slips, so there's no assets,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14and within probably a couple of weeks,
0:30:14 > 0:30:15the company will be wound up anyway.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17If you'd seen the company bank account,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20which was overdrawn by £860 or something,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23which is part of the money they gave to the accountant to wind them up.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25So no money, no assets, nothing we can do.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30It's a disappointing result, not least for Mark Parsons,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33but while he's not happy about the outcome,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36he has no regrets about pursuing Pinewood Used Cars Limited
0:30:36 > 0:30:37through the courts.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41I'm glad I've gone through the process.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44I've won the case, I've seen the way the legal system works,
0:30:44 > 0:30:45I've seen what can happen.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Yes, it was an experience.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49I just know now that I'm not going to get my money back,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52and I've just got to move on.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Pinewood Used Cars Limited told us
0:30:53 > 0:30:57that after Mr Parsons was unhappy with their repair of his car,
0:30:57 > 0:31:00the company did offer him a refund, but he declined.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03They say they lost in court because a year had passed
0:31:03 > 0:31:06and so they had no evidence to support their case.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08They say they didn't pay the court judgment
0:31:08 > 0:31:11because they were no longer trading.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20Back in Camden,
0:31:20 > 0:31:24the sheriffs are still trying to evict a group of illegal squatters.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26What's happening if we don't want to go?
0:31:26 > 0:31:28You'll be removed.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29While most are cooperating,
0:31:29 > 0:31:31one man has had to be removed by force.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- You're going, mate, you're too gobby.- I'm not too gobby.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Wait, what's going on here?
0:31:36 > 0:31:39And a second is continuing to cause problems.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41He's been refusing to pack his belongings,
0:31:41 > 0:31:43and is now claiming to be unwell.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47Two hernias, two dislocated shoulders and untold back pain.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49- OK.- I live in a tent in a garden,
0:31:49 > 0:31:51not out of choice but out of force,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53because you people threw me out of my last life
0:31:53 > 0:31:57because I challenged the system and refused to wear a name.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58The system has been trying to deprive,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01deny and delay me any rights to live on this planet.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03But the sheriffs have heard it all now,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07so after 45 minutes of arguing and endless excuses,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09the man is given some assistance.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11I haven't done nothing to these people.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15They are now depriving me from any ability to live.
0:32:15 > 0:32:16Put him down gently, Steve.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20I have my rights.
0:32:20 > 0:32:21- Keep going.- I have my rights.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- Legs down.- I have my rights.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- I have my rights. - Thank you very much.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Brother, I need my property, my kitten, I need my kitten.
0:32:30 > 0:32:35- His cat's inside there, his baby cat.- My children, my child is in there.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39The man needn't worry, as Vader the kitten is soon found.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- Here's your cat.- That's Vader, what about the rest of my stuff?
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Now he's been removed, he wants his stuff, yeah?
0:32:46 > 0:32:48At the moment,
0:32:48 > 0:32:50I'm not going to let him get that.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53I'm going to clear the site and then I'll get a couple of our officers
0:32:53 > 0:32:56to pack his stuff up and just bring it out to him.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59MAN SHOUTS With the troublemakers now off the site,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02the sheriffs need to chivvy the rest of the squatters along.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05I can see you've got your breakfast, have you got everything else?
0:33:05 > 0:33:07- Are you taking the bike? - It's mine, yeah.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10After being on the site for three years,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12some of the squatters have a lot of possessions.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Luckily, they've also got a couple of vans,
0:33:15 > 0:33:18which is making the process a bit easier.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20I think we've got about half out at the moment.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22The majority of them have been OK,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25it's just a couple who have had to be removed because they're not...
0:33:25 > 0:33:28They're not doing what we've asked them to do.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32Sorry.
0:33:34 > 0:33:35Meanwhile, the police have arrived,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38at the request of one of the squatters,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40who is convinced that the eviction is illegal.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43But once the police see the sheriffs' paperwork,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45it becomes clear to them it's the squatters
0:33:45 > 0:33:47who are on the wrong side of the law.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48OK, we'll go hang out front
0:33:48 > 0:33:51and just make sure no-one's getting all uppity.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53- Thank you.- OK.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56As the final squatters gather their belongings and leave,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59the temperature again starts to rise.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02MAN SHOUTS
0:34:02 > 0:34:06Garden community, garden community, garden community...
0:34:06 > 0:34:09The squatters are gathering outside and making themselves heard.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13Get a job, get a job!
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Not that the sheriffs are worried.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18I think it's a case of much sound and fury doth signify nothing.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Before the sheriffs can leave,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25they have to be certain that none of the squatters have been left behind.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Search every nook and cranny, roof spaces,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31outbuildings, shrubbery, tents,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34everything, yeah? Leave no stone unturned, yeah?
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Even if you think someone's checked it already, just double-check it, please.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40And as the search of the building progresses,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Mark comes across something a bit odd.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45I found a hatch or something in the floor, not sure where it goes.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Probably nothing, but I need to check it.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53No, just the floor. That's fine, cool.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55It turns out to be nothing.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58And with the site confirmed as clear of squatters,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02attention turns to making sure they don't get back in,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04and securing the site for the owner.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06It's going to be difficult place to secure up.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Ideally they're going to want security guards here,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11but whether he chooses that or not...
0:35:11 > 0:35:14If he doesn't, they'll probably be back in straightaway.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17The other thing the sheriffs can do is make sure there's nothing much
0:35:17 > 0:35:18to come back to.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21As long as their makeshift homes are still standing,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24this site will continue to be a draw for the squatters,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27so the owner has asked the sheriffs to remove them.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Unsurprisingly, it only winds the squatters up more.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37Please stop destroying my home.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40My belongings are inside.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Devil worship!
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Why are you destroying our garden?
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Why are you destroying our beautiful garden?!
0:35:48 > 0:35:51But the time has now come for the squatters to move on,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53and Mark is confident they will.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57There's still people coming back and forwards who've got stuff in there,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00which we are letting them on to get, escorting them on,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04and they're all outside still, all being very verbal,
0:36:04 > 0:36:07but as the day goes on,
0:36:07 > 0:36:09they'll peter out.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Thanks to the sheriffs,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13the land is back in the hands of its rightful owner.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Every year 3.9 million motor insurance claims
0:36:22 > 0:36:27are made in the UK as a result of accidents, theft or damage.
0:36:27 > 0:36:3299% of these claims are accepted and subsequently paid out,
0:36:32 > 0:36:34but occasionally claimants find themselves
0:36:34 > 0:36:36unable to get the money they're owed.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41Lawrence and Kev are heading towards the Sussex coast,
0:36:41 > 0:36:42to deal with one of these cases.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47We're off to Hastings Insurance Services Limited.
0:36:47 > 0:36:53We are looking for £4,575.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59The claimant is Bill Young from Ashington in Northumberland.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01It all began with an outing to the local takeaway
0:37:01 > 0:37:05with wife Christine and their kids.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07We got in the car, headed down the road,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09and just as I was approaching the roundabout,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11the guy came out from the left.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12I did see it coming,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16but it was right at the last second and there was no way I could get out of the way.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19The other driver smashed into the side of Bill's car,
0:37:19 > 0:37:23writing it off and leaving the family shaken and hurt.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26I can remember getting out of the vehicle and tried opening the door,
0:37:26 > 0:37:28couldn't get out.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31I had to climb out of the driver's seat and I actually
0:37:31 > 0:37:34did go to hospital and got checked over because...
0:37:34 > 0:37:36because of my injuries.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Christine suffered whiplash,
0:37:38 > 0:37:43and it soon became clear that so did their 15-year-old daughter, Elise.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46My daughter realised at school when she was sitting
0:37:46 > 0:37:49on the high chairs in the science lab,
0:37:49 > 0:37:51cos she had no back support,
0:37:51 > 0:37:55and that's when she realised she was uncomfortable with it.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59So she had to actually tell the teacher she needed a special chair.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02She had to go through physio and stuff like that.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06But good news was that the Youngs' insurance policy was supportive.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09They said they would claim costs and compensation
0:38:09 > 0:38:11from the other driver's insurers,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Hastings, and seemed confident of a result.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18They got in touch to say that the driver had said it was his fault,
0:38:18 > 0:38:21so we had nothing really to worry about.
0:38:21 > 0:38:22We had a courtesy car.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25But as it went on, it started to drag on and drag on.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29It seemed that Hastings wasn't going to pay out just like that.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30I was quite surprised
0:38:30 > 0:38:32because it's quite a big insurance company
0:38:32 > 0:38:35and I thought it would just be... they would pay up straightaway, sort of thing.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Especially when the guy who's hit you is admitting fault straightaway.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Basically an open and shut case, really.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43Weeks became months,
0:38:43 > 0:38:47and the situation was becoming increasingly worrying for the family.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49I was just stressed all the time,
0:38:49 > 0:38:53ringing up the insurance company just about every other day.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55I would send one thing and then they would say,
0:38:55 > 0:38:56"We need something else."
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Well, I thought, "Well why didn't you say that in the first place?"
0:38:59 > 0:39:02It just went on and on.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03At the back of your mind you're always thinking,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05"Am I going to get the money?" You know,
0:39:05 > 0:39:09"Is it going to end up me paying for something that's not my fault?"
0:39:11 > 0:39:13A few months after the accident,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16the Youngs did receive the pay-out for their written-off car,
0:39:16 > 0:39:20but it took a year before Christine got compensation for her injuries,
0:39:20 > 0:39:24and Elise's whiplash was even less straightforward.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26It turned out she'd have to go to court.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28You don't really want your daughter going into a court.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32She seemed to take it in her stride, but it was worrying for us.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35And after the hearing, they were more confused than ever.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39The guy who was representing the other company,
0:39:39 > 0:39:41he basically just agreed they would pay out.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43There was no questions asked.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45It just seemed to be a waste of time.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51The Youngs could at least expect the matter to finally be resolved.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54But 18 months after the accident, they're still waiting.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59Now the Youngs' insurers have decided to take the final step.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03They've obtained a High Court writ against Hastings Insurance
0:40:03 > 0:40:04and engaged the sheriffs.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07We've been informed that the sheriffs are going to go into
0:40:07 > 0:40:10the offices of the insurance company...
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Basically bang on their door.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14..and actually physically take the money.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17We didn't expect this, so we'll see what happens from here,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19but hopefully we'll finally get what...
0:40:19 > 0:40:21- What we deserve.- ..what we need.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Lawrence and Kev are soon to arrive
0:40:29 > 0:40:32at Hastings Insurance Services Limited.
0:40:32 > 0:40:33It should be straightforward,
0:40:33 > 0:40:36but Kev's taking nothing for granted.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40You'd have thought a job like this is a relatively easy payment,
0:40:40 > 0:40:43but you can never guarantee it.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46It's up this road somewhere, I believe.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49There it is, Conquest House, Hastings Direct.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51It's not quite the name on the writ,
0:40:51 > 0:40:55but it's more than likely to be just a trading name for the debtor company.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59Unperturbed, Lawrence and Kev park up and head into the building.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- Hi there.- They'll rumble you, Pete, straight away.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04But our cameraman doesn't get far.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Morning, yeah.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08We wait outside, while Lawrence explains.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14We've got a High Court writ against Hastings Insurance Services Limited.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22The sheriffs' unannounced arrival causes some confusion.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Lawrence and Kev don't know any of the specifics of the case,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28all they've got is a writ against the company
0:41:28 > 0:41:31with Mr Young's name on it, and no-one here knows who he is.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35After an hour, they've made little progress.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41One of the issues they've got at the moment is looking for the person
0:41:41 > 0:41:42in the claim.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43Once they find out who that is,
0:41:43 > 0:41:45they'll be back down and sorting out.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48They're familiar with these scenarios.
0:41:48 > 0:41:49I think with such a big company,
0:41:49 > 0:41:53they must get a few of these things sort of slip through the net.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56The sheriffs can demand the writ is paid regardless,
0:41:56 > 0:42:00but companies are usually reluctant to reach for their credit cards
0:42:00 > 0:42:03until they know what they're paying for.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06So Lawrence is prepared to give them a bit of time,
0:42:06 > 0:42:08rather than threatening to remove assets from the office.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15Another 45 minutes passes before, eventually, he's out.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18And all the waiting around hasn't dampened his spirits.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21That went very well, really.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25Eventually they found who should be dealing with the claim.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Apparently they'd already agreed a settlement and the solicitor should
0:42:28 > 0:42:32have paid it, so it's actually the solicitors that have paid it now.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34It took a bit longer than we would've liked, really,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36but sometimes it does.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44They've been paid the full £4,575.
0:42:44 > 0:42:4718 months after their car accident,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50the Youngs have finally got the compensation they were owed.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Well, we finally heard from the sheriffs.
0:42:55 > 0:42:56It's good news.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59They're getting the money, so that's great.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01We would have preferred that we didn't need to claim
0:43:01 > 0:43:04and we didn't need it, but that's what these things are for.