More than 30 people have complained about bailiffs acting on behalf of Redbridge Council in a year.

A freedom of information request revealed that 31 complaints were made between August 1 2012 and July 31 this year about the collection of parking charges and fines.

Most people were unhappy about the amount of fees charged and the conduct of the bailiff company and individual bailiffs.

One woman took her case to the London Government Ombudsman after being forced to pay nearly £1,000 because of an administrative error in 2011.

Earlier this year, a man reported a bailiff to the police after he allegedly threatened to “smash the door down”.

Michael Atkins, 42, had been given a parking ticket for a car he had sold months before.

One case was taken to watchdog the Local Government Ombudsman and four more were “resolved”. The others were dismissed by the council.

A council spokesman said: “We would like to reassure residents and those who work and travel in the borough that mistakes are very rare and that we have introduced a review process to look at these complaints earlier.”