Tuesday 20 January 2026
The ECB has today published its first Insight Report, which sets out new data on enforcement (bailiff) industry practices using evidence from its complaints handling service and oversight work.
The key findings on the industry include:
- The enforcement industry is handling close to 8 million cases a year, impacting millions of people.
- The industry collects over £1 billion a year, the majority of which is money owed to public bodies from unpaid parking and traffic fines and council tax arrears.
- Goods – primarily vehicles – were taken away by Enforcement Agents (bailiffs) in over 2,600 cases in the six month reporting period.
Whilst the great majority of enforcement action complies with the ECB’s Standards for fair enforcement, the report identifies some concerning behaviour including:
- Mishandled complaints
- Threatening behaviour
- Failing to support vulnerable people
- Threatening to remove exempt goods
- Clamping vehicles used by disabled people.
- Overcharging enforcement fees on members of the public.
In six months, there were 10 Enforcement Agents dismissed by their companies for misconduct – only two had their certificates revoked by the court. Most of the dismissed agents are therefore able to continue working.
In its first nine months, the ECB’s complaints service received over 500 complaints. Demand is growing rapidly and the ECB expects to handle several thousand complaints in 2026. The ECB has upheld half of the complaints that it has investigated.
The report comes as Government faces growing calls from MPs and charities to tighten up the regulation of the industry. In June 2025 the Ministry of Justice committed to legislate to give the ECB legal powers and published a consultationseeking views on how to do this. The Government is yet to commit to a timetable.
Chris Nichols, CEO of the Enforcement Conduct Board, said:
“The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) is here to ensure that everyone facing enforcement action is treated fairly.
“Our report reveals the enormous scale of enforcement activity across England and Wales and the significant role it plays in supporting public finances. Encouragingly, most enforcement firms and agents are following the rules that we set and carrying out their work responsibly.
“However, we have also uncovered some deeply concerning examples of firms and agents behaving aggressively, overstating powers, failing to consider health issues, and overcharging members of the public. These actions often impact vulnerable people in their own homes.
“The ECB is determined to stamp out harmful enforcement practices. We arehandling a growing number of complaints and will soon introduce tougher standards to ensure vulnerable people are treated properly.
“Government must act too. Last year, it pledged to give the ECB new legal powers. Eight months have passed since its consultation, yet no legislation has been introduced. Thousands of people are currently experiencing enforcement by companies who have refused to sign up to our standards and are subject to no independent oversight. We urge the Government to act bring forward legislation this Spring and protect everyone subject to enforcement.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) is the independent oversight body responsible for overseeing the enforcement industry. Our mission is to ensure that everyone who experiences enforcement action is treated fairly. You can find out more about our work by visiting Who we are – enforcementconductboard
- We created new, robust standards for firms and agents, ensuring everyone subject to enforcement action is treated fairly. All accredited firms must agree to meet our standards of practice. Read more about our standards here: Standards – enforcementconductboard
- The ECB also runs a complaints handling service for those who feel they’ve been treated unfairly by an enforcement firm or agent. The service was launched in January 2025. If we find an agent or firm has breached our standards, we recommend avenues of redress for the complainant, which accredited firms agree to comply with. Find out more here: Complaints policies and guidance – enforcementconductboard
- Our new report brings together data from our complaints and oversight work, and data that accredited firms submit to us twice a year. The full report is on our website here: XX
- The ECB also published first-of-its-kind research in 2024, analysing 600 interactions between enforcement officers and the public, from body-worn cameras. Our research found that regulations were breached in 6% of cases, affecting tens of thousands of people. See more here: Research – enforcementconductboard