BAILIFFS have been called in to reclaim debt from more than 12,000 homes in the last year, it has been revealed.

The figures, released by the Money Advice Trust, reveal Thurrock Council has the highest use of bailiffs in Essex, higher than any other local authority.

Two thirds of the referrals relate to council tax arrears – equivalent to one in seven Thurrock homes.

The research also showed that the council has doubled its use of bailiffs year on year.

A council spokesman said: “Thurrock Council’s action should be seen in the light of councils across the country trying to maximise the impact of unpaid council tax and other charges.

“It is also worth noting the figures include debts over several years where previous attempts to collect the money owed has not been successful.”

Tory group leader, councillor Rob Gledhill, said: “It is every householder’s responsibility to pay their council tax on time and for the right amount.

“However, equally the council has the responsibility to work with those residents who fall behind on payments and try to get the debt paid without passing it to enforcement agents.”

Earlier this year, Thurrock Citizens Advice Bureau criticised the “strong-arm”

approach taken by the council with its higher-than-average use of bailiffs.

Then CAB director Mike Rawlings called for more preventative measures to stop households sliding into debt.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Using bailiffs must be the last resort.

“We recognise the serious financial pressures on local authorities, but they should be using every other option before calling out the bailiffs.

When there is no alternative, councils must make sure bailiffs follow the rules and treat people fairly.”