Eight-year-old boy threatened with debt collectors

16/09/2011

An eight-year-old boy was sent a letter threatening him with debt collectors after failing to return an overdue library book.

Jamie Rogers, who borrowed ‘A Very Fishy Battle’ from the Central Library in Bromley, south east London, was sent a letter from the library explaining that he should contact the library immediately or be referred to a ‘debt collection service’.

Jamie’s mother Michelle told The Telegraph that her son burst into tears after opening the letter – becoming terrified that he would be arrested by the police and sent to court. She said: “I was horrified. What is the world coming to when you have to threaten an eight-year-old for an overdue library book?

“The first thing he said to me was that he didn’t understand what he had done wrong.

“When I explained he was really upset and I had to tell him not to worry – he thought we were talking police involvement and that he’d have to go to court.”

The letter, which said that Jamie must return the book (due on August 11) added: "If you believe that you no longer have these items, please contact the library immediately, as you may be referred to a Debt Collection service."

A Bromley Council spokesperson explained to The Telegraph: "We do apologise that the letter was incorrectly addressed to the child and we have amended our records accordingly.

"The letter is a standard secondary notice which is sent out after an initial letter when books are more than two weeks overdue.

"Children's books are not charged overdue fees but we have a duty to ensure that books are available for everyone after their initial loan period and to make sure that they are returned."

Tags; Income Worries and Debt, Young Family Finances,

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