Councils are still using bailiffs to recover unpaid debts – even though a third of Londoners are against it.

Waltham Forest Council and Redbridge Council send debt collectors out to people’s homes if they have an unpaid fine or council tax.

Between 2016 and 2017, Redbridge Council sent bailiffs out 417 times, while Waltham Forest sent them out 495 times.

In the same two years, the number of summons issued for unpaid debts were 3,362 in Redbridge and 6,575 in Waltham Forest respectively.

However, 31 per cent of Londoners are against using bailiffs when dealing with families with children, according to 4in10 and Survation.

The London Child Poverty Alliance said only three boroughs refused to use bailiffs to recoup debts in 2017: Islington, Southwark and Brent.

But each of their websites list bailiff usage as a possible consequence of failing to pay council tax.

Both Redbridge and Waltham Forest Councils are using bailiffs to ensure council tax debts are repaid.

Depending on the council, summons are usually issued after a consistent failure to pay council tax. Bailiffs are usually used as a last resort after a much longer period of failure to pay.

A Redbridge Council spokesman said: “We have a duty to deliver a fair and efficient council tax collection scheme to help fund the vital services our residents depend on.

“But we are well aware of the challenging financial circumstances many people in our community find themselves in and are fully committed to helping them if they have difficulties paying council tax.

“We always take individual circumstances into account and offer support such as repayment plans for residents who get behind and advise on schemes such as Council Tax Reduction for those on low income.

“Vulnerable residents are supported, but we take non-payment seriously and pursue defaulters using appropriate remedies.

“Our advice to anyone struggling to pay is to get in touch with the council as soon as possible so we are aware of the issues early and can offer appropriate support. The use of enforcement agents is generally a last resort option, and usually after there has not been engagement with the council.”

Cllr Liaquat Ali, Waltham Forest council's cabinet member for property and business, said: “Council tax is used to fund the essential services that support vulnerable families in Waltham Forest day in, day out.

“We understand that sometimes people fall into financial problems. Residents who are struggling to pay council tax should let the council know as soon as possible so that we can provide support and guidance. The longer you ignore a debt problem, the worse the situation becomes.

“The council operates one of the most generous hardship funds in the UK to support our most vulnerable residents, or those who find themselves in serious financial distress. We ensure that those who do fall into arrears are aware of this fund and that they can apply for assistance at every stage in the process, from the very first letter we send. Low-income residents on our council tax support scheme would have at least four months before serious recovery action begins.

“In extreme cases, where residents do not reply to repeated letters and make no effort to take control of the situation, we may use enforcement agents. This is a last resort. However, it is not fair to everyone in the borough who does pay their council tax if we do not take steps against those who are unwilling to pay their fair share.”