As local authorities struggle to provide enough authorised sites for the travelling community, more groups are using unauthorised sites. This can include car parks and playing fields, as well as private land. However, there are fast and effective traveller eviction services available that are completely legal and don’t require court action.
When they arrive on a landowners property for the first time it can be a stressful experience. The owner is unsure as to how to evict travellers and will often presume that they need to go through a lengthy court process. Landowners can quickly regain possession of their land – often on the same day they instruct certificated enforcement agents (bailiffs).
Same day traveller evictions
Under common law, a private landowner has the right to evict the travellers from their land. This involves the use of enforcement agents who will serve notice on the illegal encampment to leave the site. The notice provides them with up to 24 hours to move on voluntarily, but often they are given much less than this and traveller groups can be evicted on the same day.
Where the encampment has not left the site in the allotted period, enforcement agents will attend to carry out a fast and effective traveller eviction. This will involve assistance from the police and a recovery company, who will tow caravans off the site where required.
The benefit of carrying out traveller evictions under common law is the speed at which land is returned to the owner. Where court proceedings are started, it can be a number of days (even weeks) before an eviction takes place. The common law rights of private landowners are detailed in the government’s Guide to effective use of enforcement powers for unauthorised encampments.
A quick traveller eviction means there is less time for the group to cause damage to buildings on the site and reduces the amount of rubbish left. It also limits disruption to the business or local residents and shows that the landowner is taking decisive action to remove the group.
Instructing enforcement agents to visit the site quickly takes the travellers by surprise and prevents a large-scale resistance to the eviction. Allowing the group to remain on-site for a number of days can make an eviction harder, as they have had more time to prepare and more vehicles may arrive.
Traveller eviction from private land
Evicting travellers from private land, such as a supermarket or office car park, is treated differently to a local authority site. As a private landowner, there is no requirement to carry out any welfare checks on the group or provide them with any assistance, such as refuse and sanitary facilities.
Common law can be used to quickly evict travellers from the site and you don’t need to obtain a possession order from the court. This significantly reduces the costs of an eviction, speeds up the process and limits the impact on the business.
For instance, where travellers have set up an illegal encampment on a store car park there could be a reduction in customer numbers while they remain. Businesses may get a bad reputation in the local area if they are not seen to be dealing with the problem. This reduces their income in the future if customers choose to use a different company.
How to remove travellers from your land
When you have travellers camped on land it’s important that you use a professional enforcement company to carry out the eviction. This will ensure that they have the appropriate insurance and experience of conducting traveller evictions.
Evicting travellers can be dangerous, particularly when the groups are confrontational or aggressive. Enforcement agents are used to dealing with these situations and will quickly adapt their approach where necessary.
The enforcement company will notify the local police of the eviction in advance and request support where necessary. This ensures that there is no breach of the peace and helps for a swift eviction.
A tow truck will be used if vehicles need removing from the site. Having the truck visible and readily available indicates to the encampment that the landowner is serious about moving them on.
Preventing unauthorised access to your land
Following a traveller eviction it’s important to prevent access being gained in the future.
There are a number of ways you can secure your business car park from travellers, including installing a physical barrier or gate at the entrance. Perimeter fencing will also reduce the number of access points to the site, increasing the overall security.
In order to monitor the site out of hours, installing a CCTV or alarm system would be beneficial. This enables you to react quickly to any trespassers, limiting the amount of damage that can be caused.
Manned security is an area to consider for particularly high-risk sites, as a physical presence will deter trespassers from attempting to gain entry.
Contact CEA Limited for fast and effective traveller eviction services
When you need assistance to evict travellers from your land contact the enforcement team at Civil Enforcement Agents Ltd. We have agents nationwide who will quickly react to your instructions. Depending on the time of day the eviction is authorised, we can have the travellers moved off the site on the same day.
Contact us today to discuss your requirements for a fast and effective traveller eviction.