Police investigating assault allegations at protest inside Bristol bailiffs' offices

Police are investigating allegations of assault after a protest at the offices of one of Bristol’s biggest bailiff and debt-collecting companies last week.

Around 20 protesters from the tenants union Acorn staged a direct action protest at the offices of Able Investigations & Enforcements last Monday lunchtime, as part of the launch of a campaign against Bristol City Council ’s use of bailiffs to collect council tax arrears and other council debt.

Police were called at the offices in St Anne’s, after the protestors walked into the offices and an altercation took place. In a statement, Avon and Somerset police said: “Enquiries are taking place following an altercation involving a number of individuals that occurred at a business premises in St Anne’s Park in Bristol at about 1pm on Monday, November 11.

“Officers attended the scene and we have received allegations and counter-allegations of assault. Enquiries, including reviewing footage of the disturbance, are ongoing,” she added.

Steve Wood, the managing director of Able Investigations & Enforcements told Bristol Live the company does not operate on behalf of Bristol City Council to collect council tax arrears.

“Able Investigations & Enforcements do not have, nor ever have had, any contracts with Bristol City Council or any other local authority for any type of residential or council tax collection,” he said. “We are now assisting the police as they conduct their investigation and will make no further comment at this time,” he added.

After the demonstration at the offices, Sam Kidel, from Acorn, said: “We came here to peacefully protest at the Able Enforcements offices. The door was open and we went inside, and as soon as we got there, they shut the door between us and some of our other members, and we heard shouts and we heard banging and several of our members have said they were assaulted inside the office.”