Traveller, Trespasser & Rough Sleeper Evictions
Evict Travellers & Trespassers from Private Land
Certificated enforcement support across England & Wales
Our certificated enforcement agents attend sites to serve notice and manage lawful removal of illegal occupants — including travellers, trespassers, and rough sleepers — restoring possession of your land or property.
We take a structured, documented approach with clear communications, risk-aware attendance, and practical on-site coordination to support landowners, managing agents, and commercial clients.
If your land is occupied by travellers, trespassers, or rough sleepers and they are refusing to leave, you may be entitled to take swift and lawful action. Court proceedings are not always required. Below is an outline of the available options.
- Common Law – the fastest route where conditions allow
- CPR Part 55 – typically used for persistent or building occupations
- Police powers (s.61) – where statutory thresholds are met
- Responsive coverage across England & Wales
- Certificated enforcement agents where required
- Site security, lock changes and clearance options available
- Your authority as landowner or instructed agent
- Site address and brief description of the situation
- Photographs or location details (if available)
When responding to unauthorised encampments, our experienced bailiffs prioritise strategy, communication, and respect to achieve peaceful resolutions. Traveller evictions don’t always require overwhelming force — just the right approach.
While we have the capability to deploy large enforcement teams with tow trucks and site security, in most cases, two skilled agents are all it takes. Our long-standing relationships with the travelling community allow us to resolve incidents quickly and peacefully — without unnecessary escalation or costs.
Practical, cost-effective outcomes: Our calm and strategic approach reduces disruption, protects your land, and maintains dignity for all involved.
“With years of experience in traveller evictions, rough sleeper evictions, and trespasser evictions, UK Bailiffs has successfully reclaimed hundreds of sites across England and Wales — working closely with landowners, property managers, and local authorities to deliver swift, lawful outcomes.”
UK Bailiffs offers a fast, legally compliant service for removing unauthorised encampments. Our agents work professionally to resolve situations with minimal disruption.
- Initial consultation: call us to discuss the situation, the lawful options, and fees.
- Online form: complete a short instruction form — we prepare and issue the relevant notices.
- Agent deployment: enforcement agents are dispatched, often within 2 hours (subject to location and availability).
- Notice & risk assessment: notices are served and the site is assessed on arrival.
- Strategy options:
- Peaceful eviction: a reasonable deadline is set for voluntary departure.
- Extended time: may be offered where occupiers cooperate and risks are low.
- Escalation: additional agents and specialist resources can be deployed where proportionate.
- Full removal: site clearance as a last resort, following the agreed approach.
- Final enforcement: action taken in line with the chosen approach and the lawful basis for removal.
- Serve only: we serve notice and complete an initial assessment.
- Serve & observe: we remain on-site to monitor and encourage compliance.
- Serve & return: we return if the deadline expires without compliance.
- Same-day eviction: immediate notice and enforcement action in one visit (where appropriate).
Landowners in England and Wales — whether private or local authority — have the right to remove trespassers using either Common Law or the Court process.
Halsbury’s Laws of England
In 1907, Stanley Bond commissioned Lord Chancellor Hardinge Giffard to produce the legal reference now known as Halsbury’s Laws of England.
“If a trespasser peaceably enters or is on land, the person who is in or entitled to possession may request them to leave, and if they refuse, remove them using no more force than is reasonably necessary.”
This principle still applies today.
The Role of Enforcement Agents
Enforcement Agents (formerly bailiffs) may lawfully attend land without notice and remove trespassers immediately — without a court order — using reasonable force.
Important Exception: If agents cannot gain peaceful entry (e.g. locked gates), eviction under Common Law is not permitted.
- Agents attend and serve notice
- Conduct a site-specific risk assessment
- Provide reasonable time to vacate
- Remove people/vehicles using minimum force if needed
- Notice: Can be immediate or delayed
- Force: Must be proportionate
- Best Practice: Avoid night evictions with children present
Speed & Cost: No court needed, faster and cheaper resolution.
Trespassers may return — but this is rare with decisive enforcement.
Local Authority: Must assess Human Rights duties. If children are involved, liaise with social services.
Traveller and Trespasser Success Rate (2024-2025)
Below is the total success rate for October 2024 - October 2025 based on 117 evictions
76%
Vacated on Service (24 hours)
23.5%
Evicted following Reattendance (48 hours)
0.5%
Evicted After 48 hours
99.5%
Total Success Rate (Excludes those who left before instruction was cancelled)
