Conducting Ourselves Safely and Successfully

In light of the latest restrictions announced to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Bristow and Sutor would like to reassure customers, clients and the general public that our robust processes and methods are proving to be both safe and successful.  

The new restrictions, which came into effect last week, are expected to remain in place for around six months. They include limitations of groups and gatherings as well as restrictions on opening hours for hospitality and leisure venues. Bristow & Sutor’s approach to enforcement upon returning to activity at the end of August, was devised with the utmost safety in mind. As such, we are unaffected by these new rules and can continue to visit and communicate with debtors in the same manor we have already been doing so over the past month.  

We would like to remind anyone who is concerned about the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, that all of our EAs have completed training set out by CIVEA on coronavirus safety, including the use of PPE equipment. Every Enforcement Agent wears a mask during visits and also possesses hand sanitisers, antibacterial wipes, disinfectant sprays and gloves as standard. Wherever possible, Bristow & Sutor EAs travel alone with masks and gloves being used at all times, especially when refuelling vehicles. Additional cleaning measures are now mandatory for before and after each visit and agents are still not permitted to enter any properties, even if invited in. We will continue speaking to debtors from the doorstep at a safe distance.  

Bristow & Sutor is following the latest Government and Public Health advice, with protocol being followed by employees at all times. We continue to adhere to our industry’s Post-Lockdown Support Plan.  At time of writing, we have not received any formal complaints related to doorstep enforcement or conduct since the resumption of EA visits. In the first 7 days of resuming enforcement activity we knocked on almost 10,500 doors, yet recorded less than 100 instances of COVID-19 affected debtors in that time.  

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 welfare teams.  

Bristow & Sutor will be hosting two webinars this month discussing findings, successes, lessons learned and what comes next after the recent return to enforcement. Our ‘Recommencing enforcement visits...one month on’ sessions are set to be held on Tuesday 29th September 2020 and Thursday 1st October 2020. Our webinars will both be hosted via RingCentral. For further information and to register to attend, please click here.   

Bristow & Sutor remains committed as ever to an ethos of being Cool, Calm and Collected.