We often speak to clients who have had a problem with travellers camped on their land for days before they instruct us. This was the case for a leisure business who we worked with recently in Leeds. However, within hours of being instructed we managed to conduct a quick traveller eviction and clear the site.
Common law traveller evictions
The use of Common Law means that travellers on private land can be evicted quickly and without court proceedings. This enables us to move unauthorised encampments on within hours and, often, on the same day we’re instructed.
However, businesses don’t always take immediate action because they’re hoping that the travellers will leave of their own accord. On occasions this might be the case, but generally giving them more time to leave will just result in them staying longer. This can then make it harder to evict them.
Traveller eviction in Leeds
We were first contacted by a leisure facility in Leeds after a group of travellers had been camped in their car park for two weeks. They’d tried to be accommodating to them and believed their initial response that they would only be there for a few days. The owners had also allowed them to use their facilities, which they thought would get the travellers on their side. However, it simply encouraged them to stay for longer.
The company initially contacted us at the start of the week to enquire about the eviction process and costs. However, it was another couple of days before they finally instructed us. Two of our agents were on site within an hour to serve the traveller group and speak to them about moving on.
There were five caravans and associated vehicles camped in the car park. The group had already accumulated a large amount of rubbish and waste and were causing a problem for customers on the site. Despite the warnings, the group had refused to leave by the evening.
Quick traveller eviction
The following morning, we attended site with two agents and a tow truck to evict the travellers. Even though they had already been on site a few weeks, the travellers initially wanted to leave at the weekend. The agents eventually agreed with them that they would leave the site the same day.
Our agents remained on site while the group packed up their caravans and started moving to a new location. There were only two of the vehicles fitted with tow bars, so the caravans couldn’t all be moved at once. In order to speed up the process, our agents hooked up the final van to their own truck and towed it off the car park.
Once the site was cleared, our client then had the task of removing all the rubbish and human waste that had been left.
Preventing unauthorised encampments
While they were on site, our agents spoke to the managers about preventing further traveller encampments arriving. Unfortunately, once a traveller group has gained access to a site, it can become vulnerable to other encroachments.
There are a number of temporary and permanent solutions to stop unauthorised access on car parks. This can include height restrictors, barriers, fencing, bollards and manned guards. Often, businesses don’t fully understand the risks and problems caused by traveller groups until they have had to deal with them. It’s always better to take preventative measures to stop groups accessing a site in the first place.
How to evict travellers
At CEA Limited, we support clients with traveller evictions in Leeds, West Yorkshire and across the UK. We use fully qualified and experienced enforcement agents. We aim to be on site within hours of being instructed, reducing the problems for business owners and quickly returning back possession of their land.
To find out more about our traveller eviction services, contact our enforcement team today on 0113 532 8350.
More Information
How to evict travellers from private land
Travellers on private land? Advice for landowners
What can you do if travellers arrive on your land illegally?