BRADFORD Council has been urged to reduce its reliance on bailiffs as debt collectors after new figures revealed it instructed bailiffs more than 18,000 times last year.

The charity Money Advice Trust, which uncovered the figures, says more needs to be done to help those in financial difficulty at an earlier stage.

In Bradford, the council instructed bailiffs 18,430 times to collect debts owed by individuals and businesses during 2014/15.

The research was conducted as part of the charity's new Stop The Knock campaign and follows the release of official figures last month showing that Bradford Council ended the 2014/15 year with £32.3 million in unpaid council tax arrears.

In total, councils in England and Wales instructed bailiffs 2.1 million times for debts including council tax, parking, business rates and other arrears – an increase of 16 percent on two years ago when the Money Advice Trust last researched the issue.

The 18,430 bailiff referrals made by Bradford Council in 2014/15 represents a decrease of 25 percent on two years ago, when the council reported 24,673 referrals in the 2012 calendar year.

Debt experts welcomed the fall but said that the council still needs to do more to reduce its reliance on bailiffs.

The Money Advice Trust is calling for bailiffs, now known legally as enforcement agents, to be used only as a last resort, with a greater focus on preventative work and early detection and intervention where residents and businesses fall behind.

Last year National Debtline, which is run by Money Advice Trust, provided free, independent advice to 936 residents in the Bradford area, and says it wants to help many more who are struggling financially in the area.

The charity has written to the council with details of its latest research on bailiff use, and to call for improvements to debt collection practices to make sure people who are struggling get the free advice they need.

Joanna Elson, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said: "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 continue to improve the council’s debt collection practices, and ensure that bailiffs are only used as an absolute last resort."

Bradford-based Christians Against Poverty, which also advises people with debt, said: "We would like to see more people accessing free debt help early to prevent the need for bailiffs.

"Many people are too afraid or ashamed to ask for help and often wait until the bailiff visits before contacting us, but we want to urge people not to wait - we can help."