A CHILDREN’S charity has called on Bradford Council to stop using bailiffs to recover unpaid council tax where there are children in the home.

The Children’s Society has urged the council, and other local authorities across the UK, to end the practice, which it said was harming children.

A spokesman said Bradford Council had employed the use of bailiffs more than 22,000 times last year.

Matthew Reed, chief executive of the Children’s Society, said: “Our report reveals that far too many families are failed by their council when they fall behind with their council tax. Councils are more likely to refer a family in council tax debt to a bailiff than to an independent debt advisor, which is not acceptable.

“Bailiffs should simply not be sent round to families with children. Instead, councils should give struggling residents a chance to negotiate affordable repayments, and make sure every family in trouble is offered independent debt advice. Every child and teenager deserves to feel safe in their own home without being scared of the next knock at the door.”

But the council said using bailiffs was always a “last resort”.

Martin Stubbs, assistant director, revenues and benefits, said: “Even at this stage, the person is given every opportunity to make a payment."

“We understand that the current economic climate is making it difficult for people to manage their budgets but It is important that all householders pay their council tax.”

He urged anyone struggling to pay to call the council on (01274) 437792.