Bent bailiffs 'rip off and lie'

The reporter spent nine months as an undercover bailiff

Corrupt bailiffs are working for companies who collect congestion charge fines, a BBC investigation has found.

Reporter Jim Wheble went undercover as a bailiff and worked for two companies - Drakes and CCS Enforcement Services Limited, who collect the charges.

During his investigation for BBC One's Whistleblower programme he said he saw people being ripped off, conned and lied to by some bailiffs.

He also saw bailiffs threatening jail terms. The firms plan to investigate.

Both of the firms, some of the largest debt collection agencies in the UK, recover fines related to London's controversial congestion charge scheme.

Any one of us could get a knock on the door from these people Reporter Jim Wheble

Some of the bailiffs referred to themselves as "legal thieves".

The programme also highlighted how many people were tricked into paying debts which have nothing to do with them.

Our reporter filmed bailiffs lying about their legal powers, threatening to take people's goods illegally and clamping cars without permission.

One bailiff - who was also a former policeman - also taught the undercover reporter how to break into people's houses.

Some bailiffs called themselves "legal thieves"

Mr Wheble said: "Our investigation highlights how this is an issue that could affect us all, as any one of us could get a knock on the door from these people.

"The public should ensure they know their legal rights so they are not strong-armed into overpaying or shelling out for debts which aren't theirs."

He said the industry needed a watchdog to enforce codes of conduct and ensure bailiffs' powers were not abused.

Both CCS Enforcement and Drakes said they would carry out full investigations into the claims made by the programme and would take disciplinary action if necessary.

Whistleblower is broadcast on BBC One Tuesday 26 September at 2100.