What are your rights if a debt collection agency calls on your property? Tough one, or clear cut?

Jim and Edna have a good credit history and rating, but if their son, Burtwood, who stills lives with them, has got himself into debt and, unable to pay it off, is facing a visit from debt collectors, how does this affect Jim and Edna?
Burtwood, is over 18, employed, and otherwise independent of his parents, but has no property of his own (just his clothes and a couple of books and CDs, etc), and no savings.
The question really is in two parts:
Firstly, because the house is in Jim and Edna's name, not Burtwood's, can the debt collectors legally gain entry (and would a court order allow them entry) into a third party's home?
And secondly, if they are looking to recover a large-ish debt (over a thousand pounds, for example), can the debt collectors take Jim and Edna's property to make up the shortfall after assessing the value (or lack) of Burtwood's property?
Can Jim and Edna legally refuse them entry? Are there any variables that might also affect this?
Thanks!

Sorry, I should have said, this is the UK.
Thanks.

If the debt collectors try to enter the property to repossess Burtwood's goods, they are committing a trespass against Jim & Edna.

Second, the collectors cannot take Jim & Edna's property, because they are not in debt. If the had cosigned Burtwood's debt, then they would be liable for the whole amount, but this is not specified.

The UK is England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland altogether,
Which part of the UK are you in, Scotland has different laws

sorry I don't honestly know for definate but all I can say is this I saw I programme about debt collecting once and it was two friends and one had the debt problem the other did not but they both lived together and when the debt collectors called at the house they took everything both girls beongings so I don't know if it is the same in every situation but that is what happened. hope this helps

What ever Burtwood owes the creditors doesn't affect Jim & Edna.The debt collectors have no right of access as Burtwood is living in his parents home.
Don't be bullying by them.

Jim and Edna are teaching their son to steal and try and get away with it I think Jim and Edna are LIBERALS i think if some one took something from Jim and Edna and don't pay them Jim and Edna would be besides them self...I know Jim and Edna are liberals

1] Okay, it wouldn't be debt collectors but bailiffs looking to make an entry. They cannot enter the premises without a court order, and to obtain that order they will have to convince the court that that is the address where Burtwood resides - which shouldn't be difficult.

2] They cannot take any other property other than that belonging to the debtor named in the order.

Be warned that if anyone lets them in, even without an order, they are deemed to be voluntarily admitted. So don't let 'em in "to use the phone" or to "sit down and talk about it" - once they're in they're in.

im sorry patrick, and who r u to judge different peoples circumstances and play god! it isnt theft im sure a lot of decent ppl get into many different circumstances and end up bankrupt. so u r obviously so rich, u mite try and help the poor out to get them out of committin 'theft'.

No, the bailiffs cannot touch his parent's stuff and if the house is in their name and he only has a bedroom there, they can only take stuff from the bedroom - IF they let the bailiffs in - don't let them in and there is no problem.

And for those stupid tight arsed idiots who think debt is theft, how stupid can you get? Unless you are a multi millionaire, most of us will have debt at one time or other. Illness, an accident or loss of a job can turn a managable loan into debt.

pay your debts
debt is the wrong word it's theft