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 > 0:00:08They work for the High Court.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12And if it says you're owed money, it'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 > 0:00:24- How're you going to pay it? - ..or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26The car will be going unless you can pay it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:30 > 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 > 0:00:37The 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.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Coming up, a steel company owes money to a former employee.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58When Dean didn't pay the final wage, I found it more than unfair.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Tommy and Craig go looking for the boss.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Is it him?
0:01:04 > 0:01:07When the sheriffs evict a group of squatters...
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Wakey wakey!
0:01:08 > 0:01:11..Lawrence makes a suspicious discovery.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Somebody else's credit cards.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17I think we'll have to hand those in to the local police.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Craig is given the runaround at a security firm.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- So Mr Bergin's your brother?- Yeah.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25I asked for Mr Bergin. "I don't even know him", you said.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29And a coach company finds an unusual way to pay its debt.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31They're playing funny games.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34And they're going to pay me in pennies and 2ps?
0:01:34 > 0:01:35£1,800.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43When a business which is still trading owes money,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46more often than not, a single visit from the sheriffs
0:01:46 > 0:01:48is enough to get payment.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51But on other occasions, the sheriffs can find themselves
0:01:51 > 0:01:55banging on the door time after time to get their claimant's money.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58In the West Midlands, Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild
0:01:58 > 0:02:02are about to be given the runaround by a steel tubing company.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04So we're off to Wolverhampton today.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08We're off to go and see a company called Infinity Tubes Limited.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12Infinity Tubes Limited owe just over £2,300.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14They were taken to court by
0:02:14 > 0:02:19Army gunner turned salesman Paul Warren from Blackburn.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21He'd been looking for a new job when
0:02:21 > 0:02:24a recruitment company put him in touch with the Midlands start-up.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Infinity Tubes was looking to be a specialist in ERW.
0:02:29 > 0:02:35ERW is an electro-resistant welded tube - for example, an exhaust.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38It's a strong but very lightweight product.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42The downside to it is it's very, very cheap,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44and you have to sell a lot of it, and I mean...
0:02:46 > 0:02:49..tens of tonnes of it, to get a good return on it.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53With 13 years of sales experience in the steel industry,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Paul had built up a long list of customer contacts
0:02:57 > 0:03:00and thought he could be just the man for the job.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05I drove down to Birmingham, met with them once and I said,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08"Yeah, I'll give it a shot, I'll see what I can do for you."
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Paul started working from home for the company.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14However, it wasn't long before it became clear
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Infinity Tubes still had a lot of work to do
0:03:17 > 0:03:21before he was going to be able to deliver the sales they needed.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24I soon realised within a week, ten days,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27they really weren't geared up,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30and I explained to them, "You haven't even got a computer system,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32"you don't even have an e-mail."
0:03:32 > 0:03:35And they said, "Well, whatever you need, tell us."
0:03:35 > 0:03:36Paul was given a company car
0:03:36 > 0:03:40and he began trying to drum up business from his contacts,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43but he says he simply wasn't getting the information he needed
0:03:43 > 0:03:47from the company and its director, Dean Shilvock.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50I went back to Dean, I said, "Listen, first thing you need to do,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52"you need to tell me your stock levels." I said,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55"I need price lists. I can't go in to customers without price lists."
0:03:55 > 0:03:58So he wouldn't supply the documentation and the prices
0:03:58 > 0:04:00that I needed to seal the deal,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02and I think the final thing was,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05I said, "I work from home, I need a laptop."
0:04:05 > 0:04:09I ended up buying my own for £350
0:04:09 > 0:04:11because they wouldn't supply a laptop.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Paul only stayed a few weeks before resigning,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20working out his notice period and returning the company car.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23But to his surprise, his final week's wages,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26along with some expenses and holiday pay, didn't show up.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31I rung him, wouldn't answer, rung him, wouldn't answer.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33I texted him and said, "Can you please pay me the wage?"
0:04:33 > 0:04:35The text back I got was,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37"Give me your customer list and we'll pay you the wage."
0:04:37 > 0:04:40So customer lists are bread and butter.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42They're everything, they're your worth.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46My customer list is... 358.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49When Dean said, "Give me all your customer list",
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I was giving up basically 13 years of work.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Paul refused, and the money never came.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01When Dean didn't pay the final wage - yeah, I'd worked that time,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I'd worked up to Christmas Eve -
0:05:04 > 0:05:06I found it more than unfair.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08We've got bills to pay.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11It was Christmas, and suddenly we'd defaulted on two payments
0:05:11 > 0:05:13out of our bank because we thought,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17we didn't even give it two thoughts that we weren't going to get paid.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Mr Shilvock, meanwhile, was showing no signs of budging,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24and Paul decided he wasn't going to take it lying down.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27So I said, "OK, then, I'll see you in court."
0:05:27 > 0:05:31I knew nothing about how to take somebody to court, small claims,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I had no idea. I googled it.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Paul filed a claim online and, as is standard practice,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41the court initially offered mediation between the two parties.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Paul agreed to accept a part payment in order to
0:05:44 > 0:05:48bring the matter to a close and it looked like they had a deal.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51We are notified by the magistrates that he's agreed and we've agreed,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and then, with about two days to go,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58he suddenly said, no, he weren't going to. He wasn't paying a penny.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02So instead, Paul had his day in court.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Mr Shilvock never showed up and Paul won a judgment by default.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Four weeks later, when he still hadn't been paid,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14something on the television caught his attention.
0:06:14 > 0:06:20I was sat here and on the TV was your programme, and I went,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22"Hang on... They're sheriffs."
0:06:22 > 0:06:25And my wife said, "Well, why don't WE use the sheriffs?"
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Paul has now had his case transferred up to the High Court
0:06:29 > 0:06:32and is banking on the sheriffs to finally get him his money.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35After seeing the programme...
0:06:35 > 0:06:36I've got a lot of faith in it
0:06:36 > 0:06:39that this will put an end to it, hopefully.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Back in Wolverhampton, Tommy and Craig are approaching the address
0:06:51 > 0:06:52they've been given for the company.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55That's the central trading estate in there.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Unit 25 we're after, matey boy.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00But as they turn into the site, they get their first inkling
0:07:00 > 0:07:03that this job isn't going to be straightforward.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- There you go, Infinity Welding Limited.- There you go.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09It's not quite the name they were expecting to see.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12We have located the premises and it's down on the actual
0:07:12 > 0:07:15industrial estate map as being Infinity Welding Limited,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17which is a separate entity to our company.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19And as they pull up to the unit,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22none of the branding matches the name on the writ.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Oh, look at that, mate.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Although Infinitely Welding Limited's likely to be
0:07:26 > 0:07:30a connected company, the sheriffs would only be able to remove assets
0:07:30 > 0:07:35here if they're owned by the named debtor, Infinity Tubes Limited,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38but for now, ownership is the least of their problems.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42The unit is shut, and looks like it's been abandoned.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43It's not looking good at all.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47They should be open by now. We'll make some enquiries.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49While Tommy heads off to ask the neighbours,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Craig makes some phone calls to see if he can find out more about
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Infinity Welding Limited and its relationship to the debtor.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Can you go on to Companies House for me?
0:08:00 > 0:08:04But it soon becomes irrelevant as neither company is here any more.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Made some enquiries. They've been gone about a week from here.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10It's more or less an empty unit.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14The neighbours across there said they've seen them taking
0:08:14 > 0:08:15various equipment out of here.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19With the debtor no longer present and no sign of any assets,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21there's nothing more the sheriffs can do here.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Unfortunately for Mr Warren at the moment, it's a case
0:08:23 > 0:08:27where we'd have to look to trace the company to another address,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29if they're still trading, and pursue it later on.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35The sheriffs call it quits for now,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38but a few weeks later, they're once again back on the road.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43They've been unable to find a new address for the company
0:08:43 > 0:08:46but they do have information about its directors.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Directors of the company are Dean and Debbie Shilvock,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53with a Luke Plant as well, and they all seem to be quite young.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56The sheriffs have run a trace on the names, and it's come back with
0:08:56 > 0:09:00a residential address, which is where they're now heading,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02but Craig knows there's no guarantee of success.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Company assets at a home address,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06it's always a hard one for us to go in there,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10try and chase the money, but we'll try our best, as we always do.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Half the battle is usually catching someone in,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20but this time it seems they're in luck.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- It looks like there's somebody home. - Someone there?- Top floor window.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29- Hello, sir.- Hello.- Trying to get in contact with...Luke Plant?
0:09:29 > 0:09:34- Doesn't live here.- Or Dean and Debbie Shilvock. Is that yourself?
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Mr Wild from the sheriffs' office. - What's that for?
0:09:37 > 0:09:39With a High Court writ.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44It's Dean Shilvock, one of the directors of Infinity Tubes Limited.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47He doesn't want our camera on his drive, so we have to leave
0:09:47 > 0:09:51while Craig explains he's here to collect just over two grand.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58Mr Shilvock and his wife say they're willing to pay, but in stages.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02As it's unlikely there are assets here belonging to the debtor company
0:10:02 > 0:10:03the sheriffs have little leverage
0:10:03 > 0:10:06and it's an offer they're willing to consider.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08I'll leave you a letter today with an e-mail address, all right?
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Put your proposal in, that it's three payments or four payments,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15whatever you want to do. We'll forward that on to the claimant.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18It's down to him whether he wants to accept it or not.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21But just when it looks like a done deal,
0:10:21 > 0:10:26Dean offers to go one step further and pay in full the following day.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Craig can hardly believe his luck.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Website's there, OK?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32All self-explanatory.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Put your reference number in, and then put your debit card in
0:10:35 > 0:10:38and it'll give you an authorisation code to take the payment paid.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- All right? Cheers, thanks. - Thanks, guys.- Bye-bye.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44So I think that went pretty well, for a home address, at least.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46They were reluctant to pay it initially
0:10:46 > 0:10:49but Dean's decided to get it sorted within 24 hours.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51They haven't got a card there to pay it today
0:10:51 > 0:10:54but we've given them the benefit of the doubt, we've given them 24 hours
0:10:54 > 0:10:56to pay the bill, and if they do, happy days.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57But later on...
0:10:58 > 0:11:01..Craig and Tommy are forced to come knocking once more.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03KNOCKING
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Using the County Courts to try to recover money you're owed
0:11:10 > 0:11:11isn't difficult.
0:11:11 > 0:11:141.5 million money claims are made every year in England and Wales,
0:11:14 > 0:11:18involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship
0:11:18 > 0:11:20to unpaid invoices.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence
0:11:28 > 0:11:31and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:11:31 > 0:11:32If you're successful,
0:11:32 > 0:11:37a County Court Judgment, or CCJ, will be issued against the debtor,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and if they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49It's before dawn and the sheriffs are gathering in Southend in Essex.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51There's lights on up in the property,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53so we need to be really quiet.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56They're here to evict a group of squatters from a nearby building.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00If the window's open, me and Jack go through the window.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03If the door opens easy, then in through the door.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06It's a commercial property which has been vacant for a while,
0:12:06 > 0:12:10and it's thought about a dozen squatters have moved in.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13The owner wants them out so he can renovate the building.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18He's got a writ of possession which the sheriffs are about to enforce.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21On this occasion, getting in proves to be straightforward
0:12:21 > 0:12:23as the window opens easily.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Soon followed by the door.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27All right, let's go.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28Hello!
0:12:28 > 0:12:33Once inside, at first they can't find any sign of the squatters...
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- Where's everybody?- ..until they get through into a second corridor...
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Whoa! Warm in here.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42..where the heating is on full blast and gives the game away.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Least they've got the heating on.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Yeah, nice and warm there, ain't you?
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Wakey wakey! High Court Enforcement.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50Enforcement agents, fellas.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- Get yourself up, get yourself packed up.- Sorry, and lady.- All right?
0:12:53 > 0:12:56In ten minutes I want to see this door open.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Start packing your stuff up. What's up, mate?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01He's spoken to you already, yeah? All right, guys.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03On first impressions,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06it seems like it's going to be a straightforward job.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08There's lots and lots of rooms.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12It is about ten people altogether but they're all aware and they all
0:13:12 > 0:13:15seem quite cooperative. They're all just packing up and going.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18I did see a big pile of suitcases in one room near the stairs as we
0:13:18 > 0:13:22came in, so it wouldn't surprise me if they're pretty much ready to go.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27There is one woman, though, who is starting to kick up a fuss.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31She's not happy about the sheriffs' early morning wake-up call
0:13:31 > 0:13:34and thinks the eviction isn't being done legally.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Team leader Mark King sets her straight.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- That... That paperwork that you've been given...- Mm-hmm?
0:13:40 > 0:13:44..OK, entitles me, OK, to come into this property
0:13:44 > 0:13:47however I want to come into here...
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- So busting in like that?- ..and take back possession of it, OK?
0:13:51 > 0:13:53So would it not have been the decent thing to knock, maybe?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- At the moment...- See if someone answers and then actually do this
0:13:56 > 0:13:58in a decent way, a decent manner?
0:13:58 > 0:14:01The lady here was suggesting that we should have just knocked
0:14:01 > 0:14:03and she'd have come and let us in, which I can see her point,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05but we have to cover our own backs.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09We do face some aggression towards us on jobs like this,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12so we find it easier to catch them when they're sleeping,
0:14:12 > 0:14:17get in, make ourselves known and use the element of surprise.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21The sheriffs are always willing to give the squatters
0:14:21 > 0:14:24a reasonable amount of time to pack their belongings.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27What they don't like is people dragging their feet.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29If you don't get on with packing your stuff,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31you're going to be removed without it.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33That's fine, and I have an issue with all these people
0:14:33 > 0:14:36standing here watching me like I've done something wrong.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Like I said, is there any need for it?
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Right, if you stay here, Angie, with the lady, OK?
0:14:41 > 0:14:42If you just move down a little bit
0:14:42 > 0:14:44and we'll just give you a little bit of space, yeah?
0:14:44 > 0:14:50You pack your stuff up, OK, and then we're out of here, yeah?
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- Absolute- BLEEP- joke.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Does my council tax or anything like that go on this, by any chance?
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- Just curious.- No.- No.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Now, there's a new one I've not come across before.
0:15:02 > 0:15:03A squatter that pays council tax.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05..standing here like we've done something wrong.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Further down the corridor,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10another man is also questioning the sheriffs' authority.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13What is going on? You're all leaving.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19You're all going. It's not your property.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22The landlord has asked us to take it back for him, so we're...
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Doesn't matter to you who the landlord is.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27We have a High Court writ for you to vacate the property,
0:15:27 > 0:15:28so you need to vacate the property.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33It's none of your business who the landlord is,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36cos you're not in any kind of contract with the landlord, are you?
0:15:36 > 0:15:39You're squatting in his property, so I suggest you go and
0:15:39 > 0:15:42pack your stuff like everybody else is doing and leave.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Thankfully, most of the squatters
0:15:46 > 0:15:49are willing to leave without argument.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- Have you got everything? - Yeah, I think...
0:15:52 > 0:15:54OK, but you've got everything, yeah?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Cos once you go, you can't come back in.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Well, whilst they've brought in so many people, that might be kind of
0:15:59 > 0:16:02helpful because some of them can grab some bags for me, right?
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Apart from the woman, all of the squatters are eastern Europeans.
0:16:07 > 0:16:08Oi. Stop.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Just carry on.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14They don't want any trouble,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17and although the building's being left in a bit of a state,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20it's still not as bad as many squats they've seen.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23We've seen a lot worse buildings than this one, to be fair.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25No holes knocked in walls or anything like that,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28which is always good for the landlord.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31While most of the squatters are now outside,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34one man is taking longer than others to gather his possessions.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38He seems to have quite a lot of stuff and is hoping
0:16:38 > 0:16:40to take it all with him.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45I can't help you take it apart, no.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49He's got a big old double bed in there that he wants to take apart
0:16:49 > 0:16:51and he wanted some help taking it apart.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53We're not going to do that.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Before you know, you get accused of breaking it and then...
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Just, it's not worth it. It's not worth the aggravation.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00They wanted to take that bed, did they?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Last male's on the way out now. No more rooms.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08Once he's gone, Lawrence makes a suspicious discovery in the room.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15Halifax Visa debit, a Post Office card and a Capital One credit card.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18He's found a pile of bank cards.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22They all belong to different people with English-sounding names.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Lawrence thinks the most likely explanation
0:17:25 > 0:17:27is that they've been stolen.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30I think we'll have to hand those in to the local police.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36With all the squatters now out,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Andy the locksmith is busy securing the building.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42So they'll never get through that, ever.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44All right, let's lock it up.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46While Kev does a final check.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Over the years there has been times
0:17:48 > 0:17:51where people have been hiding in sort of sneaky locations,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54so we make sure it is entirely empty.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58It is, and Lawrence is satisfied it's a job well done.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Everybody's out of the building now
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and now it's just the last little bits. There's a few external doors.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06The last few locks are being changed.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08It's been a good day - no resistance, really.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11There was the young lady who had a bit of a moan,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13wanted to have her say.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16I think she's still saying a few things even now she's out.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Doesn't go much better than that, really,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20and it's all been done fairly quickly.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24It's taken just over an hour to get the squatters out and secure
0:18:24 > 0:18:28the building, which will now be handed back to its rightful owner.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37In the Midlands, Tommy and Craig are on the road, again chasing
0:18:37 > 0:18:41an outstanding debt owed by steel company Infinity Tubes Limited.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43It owes more than £2,000
0:18:43 > 0:18:47after being taken to court by former employee Paul Warren.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49The sheriffs have already visited
0:18:49 > 0:18:51the company's former business premises...
0:18:51 > 0:18:53There you go, Infinity Welding Limited.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55..and the director's home,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58but today they find themselves making a return visit.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00We're going to go and see Mr and Mrs Shilvock,
0:19:00 > 0:19:04who we've been to before. They said they'll pay.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08We gave them seven days to produce the payment,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11which Mr Shilvock said he would do the following day.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Our office have informed us that that hasn't happened,
0:19:13 > 0:19:17so we're off today to see why it hasn't happened.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20The sheriffs pull up at the address and head in.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24KNOCKING
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Hiya, Debbie.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Company director Debbie Shilvock has answered the door but
0:19:30 > 0:19:33she isn't happy about the sheriffs turning up here for a second time.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36The main bone of contention she's just mentioned then is because
0:19:36 > 0:19:39it's a limited company, we shouldn't be attending the home address.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41However, two factors in that -
0:19:41 > 0:19:44A, we haven't got the new company address because
0:19:44 > 0:19:47they've moved from the old address.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49And the second factor is, with a court order,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51we can go anywhere in England and Wales
0:19:51 > 0:19:53where we can find the assets of the defendant.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56In this particular case, a limited company, company assets like
0:19:56 > 0:20:00the office desk, computer, printer, laptop, it could all be in there.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Probably not because they've got another premises that
0:20:03 > 0:20:07they trade out of, but it doesn't stop us from coming here legally.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09The sheriffs can attend anywhere
0:20:09 > 0:20:13a debtor carries out a trade or business in order to get paid.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17With Debbie's husband and co-director Dean now apparently on his way,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20they're hoping that's what's about to happen.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23We're going to wait for her husband to come here and try and
0:20:23 > 0:20:26elicit the payment from the husband, who was quite keen last time to
0:20:26 > 0:20:31try and get it resolved, so I can't understand why they haven't paid it.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Ten minutes later, Dean pulls up.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Perhaps he can explain why more than four months after the court
0:20:38 > 0:20:40ruled against Infinity Tubes Limited,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43the company still hasn't settled its debt.
0:20:44 > 0:20:45Hiya, Dean.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Mr Shilvock heads inside with the sheriffs, where he explains that
0:20:49 > 0:20:54he believes the court's decision was unfair and wants to challenge it.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Craig explains that while he can appeal, for now,
0:20:57 > 0:20:58the bill needs paying.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Soon, Tommy emerges with news.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Yeah, we've had a conversation with them. They're looking to pay.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07They are going back to court but we've explained it's not going to go away,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09hence we've come back for a second time now.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14So they've agreed to pay it, so it's getting a card machine, going to facilitate the payment.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Tommy goes back inside, where sure enough the bill is settled in full.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22But while Tommy heads back to the van,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Craig appears to have got distracted.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27I bet when it fires up, you wake all the neighbours up.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Dean's Ford Mustang has caught his eye and its proud owner is
0:21:31 > 0:21:34more than happy to show it off.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35Over looking at the car now.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40Five-litre. Ooh, look, it's kicked in now, look, yeah.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42He wants to have a conversation, does our Craig.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Bet you want to book yourself into a track day!
0:21:45 > 0:21:47CRAIG LAUGHS
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Mustang's a nice bit of kit, a lovely bit of kit. I like my motors.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Very, very nippy, and Dean quite likes it as well, obviously.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58As for the debt, Craig's satisfied with the day's outcome.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02They've done the decent and right thing by paying it in full.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07In fact, Infinity Tubes Limited never did go back to court.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11And in Blackburn, Paul Warren has finally got the money he's owed.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14The sheriffs have contacted us saying that they've recovered
0:22:14 > 0:22:17the full money from Infinity Tubes, which is fantastic for us.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20It's been a long journey in our eyes.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23We never thought that we'd get to this day but we are.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26It's a great result and a big, big weight off our minds.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27Fantastic.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31If you've won a County Court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:22:31 > 0:22:35for £66, you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46They've got special powers of entry.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54£1.6 million.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00If they're successful, they'll recover your money and costs from the debtor...
0:23:00 > 0:23:01Have you got the cash now, then?
0:23:01 > 0:23:04..as well as their own fees, which are set by the government.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06She's paid, the judgment is settled.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Thank you very much.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:23:10 > 0:23:14they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22When the sheriffs turn up at a debtor's premises demanding money,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25unsurprisingly, it doesn't always go down well.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29Many debtors don't want to pay the original court judgment against
0:23:29 > 0:23:34them, let alone the extra fees incurred by High Court enforcement.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37The sheriffs are used to debtors being angry or uncooperative.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41In the north-west, enforcement agent Alan Pennington is about to meet
0:23:41 > 0:23:45a debtor who's come up with an original way of making their point.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50We're off to Oldham today, to Abbey Coaches.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54I gather it is to do with an employment tribunal case.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58The sheriffs haven't been given any details.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02All Alan knows is that Abbey Coaches Darwin Limited was
0:24:02 > 0:24:05successfully taken to an employment tribunal by a worker.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09After failing to pay the award, made two months ago,
0:24:09 > 0:24:14they now owe £1,865 including costs.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20But as Alan reaches the address he's been given,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23he can't see any sign of the company.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25I can't even see a coach anywhere.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Although there is another business that catches his eye.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Er, what's that there?
0:24:31 > 0:24:35S&S Travel. Minibus hire, so on.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I'm going to go and ask them.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40It's possible the debtor's trading under more than one name
0:24:40 > 0:24:44and it sounds like a similar business, so Alan tries his luck.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- Hello.- Hello.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50I've got a High Court writ for Abbey Coaches.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56It seems Alan is in the right place after all.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Abbey Coaches Darwin Limited is based here.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04S&S Travel Services Limited is another company run by the same directors.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07But there seems to be some confusion over the debt itself.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12That wouldn't make any difference.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19No, it's employment tribunal. It's nothing to do with a vehicle.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23As Alan has a High Court writ, it makes little difference
0:25:23 > 0:25:26what the insurance company may or may not be trying to do.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Either way, the writ needs paying today.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33And when the staff call their insurance company, they seem to agree.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37The insurance company has told them to pay because the insurance
0:25:37 > 0:25:41company haven't dealt with the issue to start with,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45and they will claim it back off the insurance company, I believe.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49But if it comes to it, Alan thinks he might have found the leverage he needs.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54There's no assets in the property because it's S&S Travel's assets,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57which they've already shown me, but I do believe across the way there,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00there are some coaches that belong to Abbey, but I don't think
0:26:00 > 0:26:03it's going to come to the situation where we take a coach away.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07And it looks like he's right, as one of the staff members soon comes
0:26:07 > 0:26:09asking for clarification.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11How much again was it?
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- 1,865...- Yep.- ..and 36p.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19- £1,865 and...?- 36p.- 36p.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21The man says they're going to get the money from the bank.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23And indeed they do.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27But when they come back, there's a catch.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Rather than the wodge of banknotes Alan is used to,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34they've brought large sacks full of coins.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Well, put it in the boot.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Alan will have to count them all.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47310...
0:26:47 > 0:26:491,300. 14...
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Luckily, the bags are all standard sizes and it doesn't take long
0:26:54 > 0:26:57to add it all up and realise that it's not quite the full amount.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02£1,800, so I'll just go and speak to the man.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07OK, £65.36 short.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11The staff produce the outstanding money and Alan's work is done.
0:27:13 > 0:27:20As promised, £1,800 in coins, £65.40 in notes.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Thank you to the wonderful, uncooperative gentleman.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27He's paid in full today and then told me to "do one" in the shop.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29So I've done one. I'm going.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Alan isn't bothered by the man's insults.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36All that matters is he's been paid in full.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42The claimant who won his employment tribunal has now got the money he was owed.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58As long as a company's officially trading, it's liable for its debts.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01But often, the sheriffs find themselves pursuing debtors
0:28:01 > 0:28:06who say they've shut up shop when their business hasn't been legally wound up.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09These are difficult cases, and today Tommy and Craig are about to
0:28:09 > 0:28:13become embroiled in one against a security firm.
0:28:13 > 0:28:19So, we're off to Rugeley today, in Staffordshire.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23Going to a company called Alertex Limited. Done a bit of research,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26they've got one director, who is a Mr Dean Bergin.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30And the debt itself's just over £7,000.
0:28:30 > 0:28:35Alertex Limited was successfully taken to court by a CCTV supplier,
0:28:35 > 0:28:38but despite the court issuing an order in the supplier's favour
0:28:38 > 0:28:42a year ago, Alertex Limited has never settled its debt.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46We've sent the notice of enforcement out, I think Mr Bergin's
0:28:46 > 0:28:49been in contact with us and obviously he's been told to pay it.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53He hasn't done that so Tom and myself are obviously on our way
0:28:53 > 0:28:56there now to try and change his mind to pay it.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59It comes out that they do fire and security,
0:28:59 > 0:29:06er, so they should clock us coming, being a security company with CCTV.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10We'll see if we can do a bit of a stealth and get inside
0:29:10 > 0:29:12and convince them to pay.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15As they arrive at the industrial estate,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18it's clear Tommy was right about the need for stealth.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19"You are now on camera."
0:29:21 > 0:29:25What he wasn't expecting is that the debtor will also be hard to spot.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30The address they've got doesn't seem to match any of the units.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35- It's in there, isn't it?- Is it? No, 40A.- Yeah, there's 40.
0:29:35 > 0:29:3741's in there.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40- This guy's definitely here, isn't he, because he responded?- Yeah.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43We just need to ask in 40 first, then.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48Craig tries the buzzer at number 40 to see if they know anything,
0:29:48 > 0:29:50but it's not much use.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Just done some enquiries at that brown door there.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Never heard of our company, never even know there's a 40A.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01Just as they're trying to work it out, a passer-by offers to help.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Yeah, we're trying to find unit number 40A.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Right, well, I'm unit 40.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- Who's the other company next-door to you, then?- They're SquareLabs.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13And what...? Who are they? Are they all part of the same unit as you...?
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- They sub-rent from me.- Does a Mr Dean Bergin ring any bells with you?
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Yeah, yeah, I know Dean, yeah.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Is he anything to do with the company there, or...?
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- Yeah. He's here.- He's in? Well, his car's there, is it?- Yeah.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26- Lovely, thank you very much. - You're welcome.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30The landlord has pointed them back to the very same door where
0:30:30 > 0:30:33someone just told Craig he was in the wrong place.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35This time, Craig is prepared.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Hello, I'm trying to get in contact with Mr Bergin.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41Once again, the man says there's no Dean Bergin here.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Craig gives him another chance.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Mr Dean Bergin? Yeah, from Alertex Limited.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49The man says his office is SquareLabs.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52No, I appreciate that, but according to your landlord, which is
0:30:52 > 0:30:54next-door, Dean Bergin's here and he's actually in the building,
0:30:54 > 0:30:56cos his car's outside.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00The man asks Craig to wait while he tries to reach the boss.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01Thank you.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05And while he does that, someone else appears at the door.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- Have you?- Yeah.- Mr Bergin?- Me? Nah.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- Oh, right.- Ah-da-da-da-da...- Yes...
0:31:11 > 0:31:15- Why's that?- Because it's not my- BLEEP- office, mate!
0:31:15 > 0:31:16- Oh, OK.- I ain't letting you in.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Well, we'll break in, sir, it's no problem.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21I'll watch you do that.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24The sheriffs aren't sure exactly what's going on in here.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28But the people working in this office don't seem very keen to help.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Luckily, the landlord is, and lets them in.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Hello, sir. Mr Bergin about?
0:31:39 > 0:31:42They've reached the office and it soon becomes clear
0:31:42 > 0:31:46one man here does know Mr Bergin very well after all.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50So, Mr Bergin's your brother?
0:31:50 > 0:31:52You're the person I've been speaking to on the intercom?
0:31:52 > 0:31:56So you're the person who doesn't know your brother exists?
0:31:56 > 0:31:59I asked for Mr Bergin. You said it had nothing to do with you.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01I don't even know him, you said.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04Right.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Right. Your brother trades from this address, sir.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15When did he stop trading from here?
0:32:15 > 0:32:16No, we don't, sir.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Can you get Dean on the phone, then?
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- My name's Mr Wild, and we are High Court enforcement agents.- OK.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27And we've got a High Court writ to execute in here today.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- It's against Alertex Ltd.- OK.- Yeah?
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Who are still registered, still active, from this address, OK?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43So is it just your company on the tenancy here?
0:32:44 > 0:32:48The staff here say Alertex Ltd was based here,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51but they work for SquareLabs - a new company which took over this
0:32:51 > 0:32:54office well over a year ago.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58But the director of Alertex Ltd also works for SquareLabs,
0:32:58 > 0:33:02- and he soon returns.- Is it Dean? - Yes, hello.- You all right?
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Tom Coyle from the sheriffs.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07The sheriffs remind Dean that his company owes more
0:33:07 > 0:33:11than £7,000 and explain they've come to get it.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Mr Bergin says the company's no longer in business.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17By the way, I did have a conversation with the office,
0:33:17 > 0:33:21I did explain Alertex Ltd hasn't been trading, it has no
0:33:21 > 0:33:26money so, consequently, I'm not in a position to do anything financially.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30The court order commands me today to take control of the goods
0:33:30 > 0:33:32unless you want to pay something.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Alertex is still a live active company.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Because this is the enforcement address,
0:33:37 > 0:33:40that's why we've been sent here today.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43But Mr Bergin says there aren't goods in his company's name
0:33:43 > 0:33:47to take and everything here is owned by either SquareLabs or by
0:33:47 > 0:33:48the workers personally.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Craig explains that he'll need to see proof.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53The onus is on you to provide evidence to us that the goods
0:33:53 > 0:33:55belong to a third party.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58If it can't be proven through receipts of sale,
0:33:58 > 0:34:02bills of sale, transfer of ownership details with money being transferred
0:34:02 > 0:34:06from one account to another, we have to take control of those goods.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10Mr Bergin says getting all that proof will be difficult.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12There's not necessarily a record of everything.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15But in the law, there should be.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19- Another staff member comes to the rescue.- What do you guys want?
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Cos I can probably help you out, in some respects.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24- We need ownership details for the assets here, basically.- OK.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27You talking about actual physical assets?
0:34:27 > 0:34:29- Yeah - computers, desks and stuff like that.- Yeah.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33What stock is this here? Is that on an invoice to SquareLabs?
0:34:33 > 0:34:34The staff get to work,
0:34:34 > 0:34:39digging out invoices and checking items against the company accounts.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40These are basically trackers.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43- Are they individually serial numbered as well?- Yes.- OK.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- This is the company we buy them from.- You got that on your computer?
0:34:46 > 0:34:48- Last stock invoice? - Last track of stock invoice.
0:34:50 > 0:34:56The tables, chairs, monitors at the moment over there, is an issue.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Normally, when you buy things from PC World,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03which the receipt is, it has the serial number on the receipt.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05It's a long series of numbers which doesn't correspond with
0:35:05 > 0:35:07what's on the back of the monitor. It is the item.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10It could possibly be the item, yeah, but is it that item?
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Yeah, it would do, wouldn't it?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Craig isn't giving up easily and goes in search of anything
0:35:15 > 0:35:17he can find.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Fishing gear, camping gear.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22But there's not much of any real value in the office, and it
0:35:22 > 0:35:27looks increasingly likely that none of it belongs to Alertex Ltd.
0:35:27 > 0:35:32We've now ascertained invoices for the remaining stock that's
0:35:32 > 0:35:36here in SquareLabs Ltd company's name.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39We're in there, looking at minimal-value office furniture so,
0:35:39 > 0:35:43you know, it's looking like it's a dead case, really, for ourselves.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Craig knows that, with about 90% of the office contents now
0:35:48 > 0:35:52accounted for, he simply doesn't have any leverage, but he
0:35:52 > 0:35:58tries one last time to get Mr Bergin to come up with at least something.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00The issue you've got, obviously, I can't go back to my office
0:36:00 > 0:36:04and say, look, met a very nice chap, we're 90% there.
0:36:04 > 0:36:05They'll say, what's on the table?
0:36:05 > 0:36:09What's he paid as a reasonable gesture of goodwill?
0:36:09 > 0:36:12I'll say, he hasn't got anything. They're going to say, crack on.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15So Mr Bergin checks his bank accounts one last time,
0:36:15 > 0:36:20- but it's not to be. - So no money at all, Dean?- Nope.- OK.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23Craig finally has to admit defeat.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25This particular case - not going anywhere, really.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28There's no money on the table, there's nothing more we can do.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31I'll take it from there. Cheers. Thanks a lot. Bye-bye.
0:36:31 > 0:36:36Because Mr Bergin isn't prepared to pay any money,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39and it would appear that the assets here are insignificant to the value
0:36:39 > 0:36:42of the debt, we've tried our best and, unfortunately,
0:36:42 > 0:36:44this time, we can't do any more for it.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47The sheriffs tried everything they could but, in this case,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50the debtor doesn't have the money and the claimant
0:36:50 > 0:36:53has since decided not to pursue the matter any further.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02When debtors can't pay on the spot...
0:37:02 > 0:37:05I'm assuming that you haven't got £5,000. Oh, dear.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09..the sheriffs won't always remove assets to get your money.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Goods go for about a fifth of their true value at auction,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15and it's often better to agree to a payment plan.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17If you can come up with half of it today.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22- Do you reckon you can do 200 a week? - They'll make a list of assets...
0:37:22 > 0:37:27- Answering machine, bar chiller cabinets.- Television, PlayStation.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29..and a controlled goods agreement is signed,
0:37:29 > 0:37:32making it an offence for anyone else to remove them.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36If you sign the form, it acts as security.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39The sheriffs will only return to take the goods if the debtor
0:37:39 > 0:37:43- fails to make payments.- I've signed him up for £1,000 a month.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Providing you stick to that, you won't hear from us again.
0:37:52 > 0:37:53In the south-east,
0:37:53 > 0:37:57Lawrence and Kev are on their way to collect money owed by a car dealers.
0:37:58 > 0:38:05We are in Cranleigh in Surrey. We're going to Walton Motors.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08It's a four by four showroom, family-run business.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11This debt was incurred as a refund for
0:38:11 > 0:38:16a car that the claimant still has but wants to return it.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19The claimant wasn't happy with the vehicle they've bought from
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Walton Motors and so took them to court.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24When the dealership didn't defend the case,
0:38:24 > 0:38:28judgment was found against them and they were ordered to refund him.
0:38:28 > 0:38:29But two months on,
0:38:29 > 0:38:33they haven't done so, and Lawrence is fairly sure he knows why.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37You can pretty much guarantee the reason they haven't paid it is because they haven't got the car.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39- That's going to be the argument, isn't it?- Yep.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42It's one they've heard plenty of times before
0:38:42 > 0:38:44but the car isn't the sheriffs' problem.
0:38:44 > 0:38:50- All that concerns them is the figure on their writ.- They owe £6,045.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56So we're going to go and get that.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59This won't be the first time Lawrence has been to the dealers.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02I bought a nice Isuzu Trooper off them years ago.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05To be fair, never had any trouble with it.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10- He's hoping today's visit will also be plain sailing.- Oh, look at that!
0:39:10 > 0:39:13They've obviously expanded, haven't they?
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Not only that, but they now seem to have
0:39:16 > 0:39:20a large stock of one of car buff Lawrence's favourite motors.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24- Obviously specialising in Land Rovers now.- God, you're going to love this as well, aren't you?
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- You look like you've died and gone to heaven.- Yeah.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30And there's another reason to be cheerful.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33The large number of cars bodes well for getting paid,
0:39:33 > 0:39:35but will it be without any argument?
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Morning. You're in charge at the moment, yeah?
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Well, you'll do. My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement agent.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46We were ordered out today basically to take control of goods to clear a debt.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50The boss isn't here, but the staff quickly get him on the phone.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54- Morning, sir.- And Lawrence doesn't beat around the bush.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56My colleague and I are here today with
0:39:56 > 0:39:58a High Court writ against Walton Motors.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03We were ordered here to take control of goods to the value of £6,045.14,
0:40:03 > 0:40:06and the only way to prevent further action is paying in full.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10At first, it doesn't seem to be ringing any bells with the boss,
0:40:10 > 0:40:12so Lawrence tries to jog his memory.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15He bought a car from you, basically.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17And he's taken you to court.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19But, just as the sheriffs anticipated,
0:40:19 > 0:40:22the man wants to know if he's getting the car back.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27There's a note on my file that says he's still got the car and he wants to give it back but, obviously,
0:40:27 > 0:40:29he's not going to until you settle this judgment, sir.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31But that's not something we get involved with.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34We're ordered out because you haven't paid it.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Courts can demand the return of goods in exchange for
0:40:39 > 0:40:44a refund only, in this case, no such conditions were applied.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47But just as Lawrence thinks he might have a battle on his hands,
0:40:47 > 0:40:49the mood changes.
0:40:51 > 0:40:56- Yes, we are. Yeah.- The man has seen the sheriffs on the telly.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00I'm the fat bald one with the goatee beard and my colleague,
0:41:00 > 0:41:02who's always working with me, he's here as well.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04With the boss fully in the picture,
0:41:04 > 0:41:08conversation quickly turns to methods of payment.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10We've got a chip and pin machine here or you can go online and
0:41:10 > 0:41:12pay with the card.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15If you want to do that and then give us a buzz back here,
0:41:15 > 0:41:17and I'll get in touch with my office and just confirm the payment's
0:41:17 > 0:41:20in then I'll leave a receipt here and be on my way.
0:41:20 > 0:41:25All right. Cheers. Bye-bye. He's going to ring back in a minute.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Things are moving in the right direction.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Kev's sizing up the assets on the forecourt, just in case,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35but he's pretty confident of getting the matter resolved.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Sounds like he's just going to pay online and then try and get
0:41:38 > 0:41:42the vehicle back but, obviously, that's not why we're here.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44Sounds like our client wants to give the vehicle back - he doesn't want it.
0:41:44 > 0:41:49Sure enough, a few minutes later, the boss is back on the phone.
0:41:49 > 0:41:50Hello, sir.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53The payment's gone through so, with the bill settled,
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Lawrence offers some friendly advice about retrieving the vehicle
0:41:56 > 0:41:58from the claimant.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00I would say, probably within about 48 hours, you'd be safe to give
0:42:00 > 0:42:06him a ring and say, look, it's been paid, what about having my car back?
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Cheers. Bye.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15Big fan of the show, really liked it, and he just said,
0:42:15 > 0:42:17I've made everything really simple for you, and I said, yeah,
0:42:17 > 0:42:23- thank you very much.- The man has paid the full £6,045 outstanding.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26The long drawn-out argument the sheriffs had feared never
0:42:26 > 0:42:30- materialised and they're soon on their way.- Thank you very much.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32- We'll leave you in peace.- Cheers.
0:42:32 > 0:42:33That went very smoothly.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35There were a few guys in there,
0:42:35 > 0:42:37none of them the owner of the business, but they got the owner
0:42:37 > 0:42:40on the phone, paid it on the card ten minutes later.
0:42:40 > 0:42:41Job done.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Back in the van. Let's get some food.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Yep, it's already in the Sat Nav, mate.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51The claimant will now get back the money the court says he's owed.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53He'll have to come to an agreement with the garage about
0:42:53 > 0:42:54the return of the car.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59Walton Motors told us they are a family-run business which has
0:42:59 > 0:43:05been trading for 36 years and this incident was very out of character.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08And they say they made numerous attempts to try to resolve
0:43:08 > 0:43:09the dispute with the claimant.