‘Rip your teeth out’ council enforcement officers ‘reported to police’ | UK | News
The couple were fired a few days after the complaint was made (Image: X)
Harrow Council has referred two former bailiffs to the Metropolitan Police after footage emerged showing them threatening a member of the public while on duty.
The men, who worked for contractor Kingdom Local Government Support, were sacked after a video emerged showing them turning off their body-worn cameras before uttering a series of aggressive words during a street confrontation.
The incident was recorded on May 18 and attracted widespread attention after the footage was viewed millions of times online over the weekend.
According to the Council, it became aware of the complaint on 28 May and forwarded the details to the Crown the following day. The two men were later dismissed from their positions on May 30.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that it had been contacted by London Borough of Harrow regarding the images.
A force spokesman said: “Police were contacted by London Borough of Harrow on Monday 15 June after a video of the behavior of two contract enforcement officers emerged online.
“We are currently assessing the information provided to us and attempting to contact the person involved. Anyone with information that could assist police should call 101 quoting CAD 6640/15June.”
The circumstances that led to the conflict remain unclear.
During the encounter, one of the officers was heard making a number of threats, including saying he would “knock you out” and “knock out your teeth” if you stopped wearing his uniform.
The footage also shows an officer disabling a colleague’s body-worn camera before being told it was turned off.
The man who filmed the call repeatedly asked the officers questions about their actions, apparently using a hidden recording device hidden inside his glasses, the Daily Mail reported.
At multiple points, the couple accused him of interfering with their income and challenged him to follow them off the street.
One officer is heard saying: “You’re acting like you’re trying to mess with our money.”
Then he adds: “Come to the alley now, we’ll show you what time it is.”
The video also shows one of the officers, who claims to have contact with the officers, telling the man: “If I call a police officer for you, it will destroy you, you know, because we work with them.”
As the argument continued, one of the men said, “We have people to feed,” while the other allegedly threatened to use more violence and damage the man’s property.
The images sparked criticism from local residents and politicians.
Councilor Rashmi Kalu said the incident reflected concerns she had previously heard about enforcement activities in the district.
He said: “This is not the first time the council has faced criticism for the conduct of its practices.
“This incident appears to reinforce the concerns I have repeatedly raised about the culture and approach to enforcement on our streets.
“In recent months, I have also been contacted by some residents about their experiences with Kingdom bailiffs.
“While the vast majority of council staff and contractors carried out their duties professionally, these reports raise concerns that I believe should be appropriately investigated.”
Kingdom Services Group provides a range of services including local authority enforcement, security, cleaning, training and recruitment. The company says its local authority support teams help councils tackle environmental crime, anti-social behavior and community safety issues.
Harrow Council works with Kingdom Local Government Support to assist with enforcement activities and the issuance of fixed penalty notices.
A council spokesman said: “We are aware of a video circulating relating to the behavior of two bailiffs.
“As soon as the incident and complaint were reported to us and the Kingdom in May, action was taken swiftly and the individuals involved no longer work for the Kingdom.
“We take it extremely seriously when officers deliberately turn off body-worn cameras.
“Threats of violence against the public are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
A spokesperson for Kingdom Services Group said: “We are aware of the video circulating regarding the serious conduct of the Two Kingdoms Local Government Support enforcement officer.
“As soon as the incident and subsequent complaint were brought to our attention in May, action was taken swiftly.
“The individuals involved no longer work for Kingdom Local Government Support.
“We take officers’ deliberate disabling of body-worn cameras extremely seriously, as these devices are an important protection for both the public and our staff.
“Equally, any threats of violence against members of the public are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
