Bailiffs will be required by law to wear body worn cameras amid fears they are intimidating and threatening householders.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is also considering a new regulator to clean up the industry amid evidence that a third of people in debt visited by bailiffs have subjected to “harmful” behaviour including illegal threats to break into their homes.

Justice Minister Paul Maynard said: “The use of intimidation and aggression by some bailiffs is utterly unacceptable, and it is right we do all we can to tackle such behaviour.

“Whilst most bailiffs act above board, body-worn cameras will provide greater security for all involved - not least consumers who are often vulnerable.

“We are looking carefully at other measures to improve the system and will not hesitate to take action where necessary.”

More than 2.3m debts were referred to bailiffs in 2016/17, according to data obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the Money Advice Trust charity.

Enforcement agents are allowed to charge £75 for sending a letter and £235 for a home visit, further inflating people’s debts

Citizens Advice estimated that 39 per cent, or 850,000, of the 2.2 million people contacted by bailiffs in the last two years had seen bailiffs break the rules.