The growing risk of assault faced by enforcement agents

We have previously commented on the personal safety risks faced by enforcement agents when doing their job.

Anecdotal evidence of the number of assaults and threats of violence can now be much more clearly quantified by the data collected as part of the six-monthly return from enforcement companies to the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB).

The full year’s data for 2025 is shocking, particularly the increase in threats of assault during the second half of 2025, although some of that might be partly explained by better reporting.

The data

In 2025, there were 369 assaults on enforcement agents:

• 184 - January to June 2025
• 185 - July to December 2025

Also in 2025, there were 5,896 threats of assault on enforcement agents:

• 1,535 - January to June 2025
• 4,361 - July to December 2025

CIVEA and the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA) are working together on a campaign to address this issue.

How can we protect enforcement agents?

There are four key ways we can protect EAs:

1. Body worn video cameras and stab vests are essential
2. Training on conflict management, to quickly identify rising tension and know how to deescalate it to prevent verbal or physical violence
3. Being aware of the environment they find themselves in, so that they can avoid putting themselves in a vulnerable position, such as when clamping a vehicle
4. Sharing data about a potentially violent debtor with the local authority, so this can be added to their potentially violent register. This also protects council staff and alerts any enforcement company visiting that person in the future, so they can take preventative measures, such as sending two EAs

How can local authorities support enforcement companies?

When there is an assault on an EA which leads to charges and a trial, the local authority will greatly assist by providing detail of the case background and evidence surrounding the instruction.

In collaboration with the police National Business Crime Centre, CIVEA publishes a framework for employers and advice on completing an evidence form.

Consequences of an assault for a debtor

It is an offence under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, Schedule 12, s68, to obstruct an EA enforcing a warrant or writ.

Upon summary conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for up to 51 weeks, a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or both.

In addition, s156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor, which must be considered by courts when an assault offence has been committed against someone providing a public service, performing a public duty, or providing services, goods or facilities to the public.