Teams of bailiffs are being used by Croydon Council to crackdown on council tax dodgers and claw back outstanding charges of £8.6 million.
The authority collects the sixth largest amount of council tax in the UK - £134m per annum. So far this year the council said it had referred 10,500 cases to bailiffs, retrieving a total of £1.2m.
Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for economic development and corporate services, said: "We make every effort to accommodate people who have genuine trouble paying their council tax amicably but have no qualms about chasing persistent non-payers.
"The council has had to tighten its belt significantly in recent months and we simply can't afford to let people get away with not paying their fair share."
If you are experiencing problems paying or keeping up to date with your council tax call 0208 7260 6000.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article