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[Tommy]

The only time bailiffs can break into a property is to repossess it and then it has to be the County Court bailiff. He/she has the right to use a locksmith to gain entry and replace the locks afterwards. Or use a window to gain entry

For council tax arrears a bailiff may 'try' the doors to see if they are unlocked and if so then gain entry. They cannot use a window. This is because the law states they have to be invited in. If you open the door to them you are inviting them in. If you leave a door unlocked you are inviting anyone in. An open window is not an invitation.

Commercial bailiffs may bend or break the rules and if they do, report them to the county court and they will have their licence removed

[Entwood]

A lot of information and advice here, including proforma letters ...

http://www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk

HTH

[Danny]

It turns out that a bailiff can actually enter a property by force to issue a distress warrant for collection of court fines if these fines were incurred through criminal actions

either way I did speak to the bailiff, and I have also made the police aware of the situation and obtained a reference number... just in case!! (whether that helps is a different story!)