ONLY nine authorities in the whole of the UK use more bailiffs to recoup their debts than Redbridge.

Between 2007 and 2010 the council referred 82,718 cases of overdue council tax and parking fines to debt collection agencies – the 10th highest in the country and third highest in London.

Raphaela Derrick, of the Aldersbrook Estate in Wanstead, previously criticised the council after it sent in bailiffs to collect £1,200 from parking tickets she claims should not have been issued.

Mrs Derrick said the tickets were issued illegally as her daughter had a valid residents’ parking permit for the private estate in South Woodford where she lived.

The figures were released this week after a Freedom of Information request by civil liberties group Big Brother Watch.

Daniel Hamilton, the group’s director, said: “Sending in bailiffs to recover debts should always be the absolute last resort.

“In many cases bailiffs are a law unto themselves – barging their way into people’s homes, intimidating vulnerable members of the public and imposing rip-off charges.”

“A Redbridge Council spokesman said: “Redbridge Council uses bailiffs as a last resort when many other tactics have been used to recover any debt.

“In most or all cases bailiffs are used months after an original request for payment has been sent.

“The council sends numerous reminders and encourages residents who have trouble meeting costs to contact us so we can work with them to assist debt issues.

“The director of Big Brother Watch describes the late payment of council tax as a ‘trivial matter’, but these debts can run into many thousands of pounds and contribute to providing vital council services which help educate children and provide care for the elderly and vulnerable.”