Continuing Activity Safely During the Winter Lockdown

In light of the latest winter lockdown restrictions, announced to stop the further spread of the coronavirus, Bristow & Sutor would like to reassure customers, clients and the general public that our robust processes and methods remain safe and successful.  

Bristow & Sutor’s approach to enforcement upon returning to activity at the end of August, was devised with the utmost safety in mind. The latest lockdown measures see a return to limitations on groups and gatherings as well as restrictions on hospitality and leisure venues for at least the next month. However, the Ministry of Justice has written to CIVEA to advise that, unlike during the Summer, enforcement visits should continue throughout the next 4 weeks in England. 

It has been stipulated that Enforcement Agents (EAs) must not enter domestic properties during this time, but this does not affect our current operations, as Bristow & Sutor has already been voluntarily preventing employees from entering properties. Upon resuming activity, all clients are provided a copy of the latest Bristow & Sutor Safe Working Procedures, to ensure what can and cannot be expected is understood and adhered to by all involved. Our procedures will, therefore, continue unchanged from our past 3 months of activity.  

Our protocols actually exceed those being followed by many other industries that are continuing to visit domestic properties and have been successful in protecting staff and the public. In September, of all enforcement visits only 4% of cases reported COVID-19 symptoms, which shows that our efforts to identify people in advance is working well. We continue to adhere to our industry’s Post-Lockdown Support Plan and will ensure we remain in-line with any new Government or Public Health England guidance.  

We would also like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who is concerned about the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, that all of our EAs have completed comprehensive training on coronavirus safety, including the use of PPE equipment. Every Enforcement Agent now possesses hand sanitisers, antibacterial wipes, disinfectant sprays and gloves as standard. Wherever possible, Bristow & Sutor EAs travel alone with gloves being used at all times, especially when refuelling vehicles. Additional cleaning measures are now mandatory for before and after each visit. We will continue speaking to debtors from the doorstep at a safe distance.  

We remain very used to identifying and supporting vulnerable people too, and whilst it is important to acknowledge that more people could find themselves facing vulnerable circumstances right now, the skills and techniques required to handle these scenarios remains the same. This includes immediately withdrawing from the doorsteps of vulnerable debtors and passing these cases onto our welfare teams.  

As always, the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, clients and your customers remains our number one priority. Bristow & Sutor is committed as ever to an ethos of being Cool, Calm and Collected.