Bullied by Council Tax Bailiffs

02/11/2007

I regret to report that - having made my protest against Council Tax - we have been "done over" by the bullying bailiffs of two Devon Councils.

While I was absent, they caught my wife returning from shopping, had her holed up for almost four hours whilst they harrassed her through the letter box, and tried unsuccessfully to gain a walk-in possession.

Her locked car was clamped and a tow vehicle called, but Lesley lay on the bonnet, having called the police for protection. The bailiffs then accused her of adopting an unlawful obstruction!

Their behaviour was disgraceful. Bullying and harassing - but probably not "unlawful". They acted for East Devon District Council (EDDC) and Devon District Council (DDC) who refused to answer our questions about the legality of using our council tax to fund an unelected, insolvent South West Regional Assembly.

Then I eventually got home, we quickly decided that we would pay up. The tow vehicle left and THEN the Police arrived. I have briefed my local papers about the situation.

Some six weeks ago, we laid an allegation with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary of malfeasance against EDDC and DCC Chief Executives, and this is now being investigated. We can't do any more ourselves, so it's up to Mr Plod to see if those at local government level are behaving illegally!

John Kelly