Can bailiffs break a wheel clamp securing a touring caravan?

When a bailiff is enforcing a traffic contravention debt, the bailiff may not use reasonable force to enter premises.^[1]

Premises is defined to be a vehicle, vessel, aircraft, hovercraft, a tent or other moveable structure.^[2]

A Liability Order to recover council tax or a High Court writ does not confer a power to break and enter domestic property. It only enables bailiffs to take control of the debtors goods.

A towing caravan occupied by someone as their only or principal home is exempt from enforcement.^[3]

The bailiff may not break the locks securing a towing caravan. The bailiff must apply to the court for that authority separately.^[4] The bailiff must satisfy the court that the bailiff meets the required conditions before issuing a warrant to enter using reasonable force.^[5]

The conditions include, whether the debt being recovered is unpaid tax owed to HMRC, or there is likely to be goods of the debtor contained. The bailiff must show how much and the type of force is needed and whether there is a real prospect of recovering the sum outstanding.^[6]

^{[1] Paragraph 18(a)(1)(d) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[2] Regulation 20(b) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013

[3] Regulation 5 of the The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013

[4] Paragraph 15 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[5] Regulation 28 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013

[6] Regulation 28(2) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013}