BAILIFFS reclaiming property across Swindon have come under fire.

A number of residents have complained to the Adver about the behaviour of Chandlers bailiffs who have been collecting outstanding council tax debts, after being hired by Swindon Council.

The council says anyone who feels aggrieved can contact officers, who will investigate claims.

Nick Gilchrist, 50, from Middleleaze, said his first experience with bailiffs had not been a pretty one.

“When I was contacted by the bailiff I invited them into my house and told them I would pay £30 a month until the £300 debt was paid off, “ said the retail manager and father-of-one.

But after missing a payment the bailiffs contacted Mr Gilchrist’s 15-year-old son to say they would drop by on a specific day to collect the goods.

He added: “I kept paying after the default, and even took the day off work to help them collect the goods, because they threatened to use a locksmith if I wasn’t there.

“I waited until 6pm because he didn’t show up and refused to answer his phone.

“Now they can keep turning up and raising my bill by £100 each time until they get a warrant.”

Denise Levens said she had a number of letters from bailiffs claiming they had knocked on her door, even though she had been in the house.

She said: “The bill started off at £662 and then jumped to £905 bearing in mind I had already paid £400.

“I spoke to a bailiff on the phone and argued with him, because he said he knocked on my door on both visits.

“There were four adults in my house at the time.

“The council maybe should take a look at the kind of people they use or maybe employ a bailiff team of their own and try to help people instead of causing people all the stress.”

She added that the council later sorted out her issues, and agreed to accept payments themselves rather than going through bailiffs.

A council spokesman said: “All bailiffs used by Swindon Borough Council are required to agree to a code of conduct before working for us, and if anyone feels they have not been treated fairly they can contact us and we will investigate.

“The court orders we obtain to allow us to use bailiffs are made by the magistrates who don’t have their own bailiffs, which is why we appoint our own.

“Bailiffs are permitted by law to charge ‘reasonable fees’ for attending an address, but again if anyone believes they have been over-charged we will look into it.

“We only use bailiffs as a last resort, only with the agreement of the courts, and we give people a number of opportunities to talk to us to see if we can help them before any bailiffs are appointed.”

Chandlers bailiffs refused to comment.