What Is A "Civil Matter"?

A police buzzword for a crime they don't want to investigate.

The crime may still meet the criteria under criminal legislation and the CPS guidelines for prosecution, and on 20 April 2007, a definition was created by HM Government in the House of Lords.

On 20 April 2007, in the House of Lords, Lord Lucas asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether a bailiff who repeatedly charges for work that has not been done commits a fraud within the meaning of Sections 1 to 5 of the Fraud Act 2006; and, if so, which sections of the Act apply; and whether it would be right for the police to claim that such an action is a civil and not a criminal matter.
HM Government responded:
A bailiff or any other person who dishonestly charges for work that has not been done will be committing an offence under the Fraud Act 2006. Section 1 of the 2006 Act contains the new general offence of fraud.

One means by which this offence can be committed is set out in Section 2, on fraud by false representation. This section applies where a person dishonestly makes a false representation and intends, by making the representation, to make a gain for himself or another, or cause a loss to another, or expose another to a risk of loss. It is also possible that, where a bailiff repeatedly charges for work that has not been done, this conduct will amount to fraudulent trading either under Section 9 of the 2006 Act or under the provisions on fraudulent trading in company legislation.

The decision on whether to investigate a crime rests solely with the police, who will take into account available resources, national and local policing priorities, the likely eventual outcome and the competing priorities of fraud and other criminal cases already under investigation. Such operational issues are a matter for the chief officer of the force concerned.

Lord Lucas asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether a person who represents himself to be a certificated bailiff, but is not, and by doing so obtains a payment or goods from a debtor, commits a fraud within the meaning of Sections 1 to 5 of the Fraud Act 2006; and, if so, which sections of the Act apply; and whether it would be right for the police to claim that such an action is a civil and not a criminal matter.
HM Government responded:
The Fraud Act 2006 created a new general offence of fraud. This can be committed by three means, one of which is by false representation. Fraud by false representation is set out in Section 2 of the Act. Where a person dishonestly makes a false representation and intends, by making the representation, to make a gain for himself or another, or cause a loss to another, or expose another to a risk of loss, that person will be committing an offence. A person who dishonestly represents to be a certificated bailiff, but is not, is likely to be committing an offence under this section. It will be necessary to show that the person was acting dishonestly in making the false representation, as well as that they intended to make a gain or cause a loss. It is immaterial whether they actually obtained a payment or goods from a debtor.

The decision on whether to investigate a crime rests solely with the police, who will take into account available resources, national and local policing priorities, the likely eventual outcome and the competing priorities of fraud and other criminal cases already under investigation. Such operational issues are a matter for the chief officer of the force concerned.


In 2015, Parliament passed Section 26 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, which makes it a criminal offence for a police officer to fail to apprehend a suspect to benefit another party.

Police officers adhere to a policy that treats bailiff misconduct and crime as civil issues, effectively shielding bailiffs from criminal prosecution. This policy operates on the assumption that bailiffs are incapable of committing crimes, fostering a culture of impunity.

Consequently, bailiffs may commit offences without fear of consequences, knowing the police will protect them. Police often discourage complaints through tactics like attrition correspondence, where they repeatedly provide excuses, or by passing complainants between departments, known as "passing them from pillar to post."

To hold a corrupt bailiff or police officer accountable, it is most effective to engage a solicitor who can present your complaint to a justice of the peace at a magistrates' court, thus initiating the process of reporting the suspect for the offence.

At your earliest convenience, gather the following information:

The date and time of the offence.
The name and identification number of the police officer dismissing your complaint.
The name of the police force.
The location of the incident.
The nature of the offence.
Any financial or other losses suffered.
Details of any injury or assault incurred.
The name and details of the involved bailiff.
Information on the money or controlled goods taken, and whether property was entered.
Any charges or threats made against you.
All documents, videos, and evidence supporting the offence.
Any documents related to the bailiff and the enforcement power.

Compile the case by gathering all relevant evidence, including a copy of the written complaint detailing the offence and the police officer's response.

Once you have organised the evidence demonstrating that a crime has occurred, seek legal representation. This will enable you to present your case to a justice of the peace at a magistrates' court, in accordance with section 1 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980.