BAILIFFS were instructed nearly 1,200 times to collect debts owed by individuals and businesses in the Taunton Deane area during 2014/15.

The research, from the Money Advice Trust, showed that bailiffs were instructed 1,193 times to collect debts.

The information was released following a Freedom of Information request to Taunton Deane Council.

National Debtline, a charity run by the Money Advice Trust says the research shows more needs to be done to help those in financial difficulty at an earlier stage.

Their Stop the Knock Campaign shows Taunton Deane Council ended the 2014/15 year with £3 million in unpaid council tax arrears.

The authority was ranked at 276 out of 326 for local authority bailiff use in England and Wales.

National Debtline is calling for bailiffs, to be used only as a last resort.

Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said:“Local councils are facing significant funding pressures – and they of course have have a duty to collect what they are owed.

"In the case of council tax this is crucial in ensuring proper funding for the services that local people rely on.

"The council’s use of bailiffs, however, remains too high. On the front line of debt advice we know that sending the bailiffs in can deepen debt problems, rather than solve them – and it can also have a severe impact on the wellbeing of people who are often already in a vulnerable situation.

“Bailiff action is not only harmful to those in arrears – it is also a poor deal for the council taxpayer. Our research shows that the councils who use bailiffs the most are actually less effective at collecting council tax arrears. That’s why we are urging councillors to consider ways they can improve the council’s debt collection practices, and ensure that bailiffs are only used as an absolute last resort.

“I would urge anyone in Taunton Deane who is struggling to cope with council tax arrears, or any other type of debt, to seek free advice from National Debtline as soon as possible.”

Anyone who is struggling to cope with council tax arrears or any other kind of debt can seek free advice from National Debtline at nationaldebtline.org or by phoning 08088-084000.