Traveller, Trespasser & Rough Sleeper Evictions

Evict Travellers & Trespassers from Private Land

Our certificated enforcement agents attend sites to serve notice and manage the lawful removal of unauthorised occupants, including travellers, trespassers and rough sleepers, helping restore possession of land or property swiftly and professionally.

UK Bailiffs takes a structured, documented approach with clear communications, risk-aware attendance and practical on-site coordination to support landowners, managing agents, commercial occupiers and other professional clients.

Operational Snapshot (since 1 January 2026)
0 evictions • 0 site clearances • 0 resolved day 1 • 0 day 2 • 0 day 3+
Instruct Travellers Request a Callback
Traveller and trespasser eviction support by UK Bailiffs

Rapid, controlled and professionally managed attendance

We support private landowners and professional clients with a calm, visible and well-managed approach to unauthorised occupation, combining practical attendance with clear reporting and coordinated site action.

Fast Site Attendance

Urgent attendance options for unauthorised encampments, trespass and site occupation matters.

Professional Presence

Certificated enforcement personnel providing visible authority and controlled site management.

Structured Approach

Clear communication, documented attendance and practical coordination throughout the instruction.

Private Land Support

Suitable for landowners, managing agents, commercial occupiers and other professional clients.

Traveller & Trespasser Evictions – A Guide for Landowners

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.

What Powers Can Be Used?
  • 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
Why Use UK Bailiffs?
  • Responsive coverage across England & Wales
  • Certificated enforcement agents where required
  • Site security, lock changes and clearance options available
What We Need to Get Started
  • Your authority as landowner or instructed agent
  • Site address and brief description of the situation
  • Photographs or location details (if available)
Traveller Evictions & Trespasser Removal
Strategy Before Strength

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.

Bailiffs using strategic approach for traveller eviction

“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.”

Operational Process

Procedures and Protocols

UK Bailiffs offers a fast, legally compliant service for removing unauthorised encampments. Our agents work professionally to resolve matters quickly, safely and with minimal disruption to the landowner, surrounding occupiers and the wider site.

Step-by-Step Eviction Process

  • Initial consultation: call us to discuss the situation, the lawful options and likely fees.
  • Online form: complete a short instruction form and we prepare the relevant notices and operational steps.
  • Agent deployment: enforcement agents are dispatched, often within 2 hours, subject to location and availability.
  • Notice and risk assessment: the site is assessed on arrival and the operational position is reviewed.
  • Strategy options:
    • Peaceful eviction: a reasonable deadline is set for voluntary departure.
    • Extended time: may be offered where occupiers cooperate and overall risk remains low.
    • Escalation: additional agents and specialist resources can be deployed where proportionate.
    • Full removal: site clearance is carried out as a last resort, following the agreed approach.
  • Final enforcement: action is taken in line with the chosen strategy and the lawful basis for removal.
Instruct Us To Evict Travellers Request a Call Back

Eviction Options

  • Serve only: we serve notice and complete an initial assessment.
  • Serve and observe: we remain on-site to monitor the position and encourage compliance.
  • Serve and return: we return if the deadline expires without compliance.
  • Same-day eviction: immediate notice and enforcement action in one visit, where appropriate.
UK Bailiffs enforcement agent attending site
UK Bailiffs provides structured attendance, site assessment and practical enforcement support for traveller, trespasser and rough sleeper matters across England and Wales.
The Law Relating to Evictions

Landowners in England and Wales — whether private or local authority — have the right to remove trespassers using either Common Law or the Court process, depending on the circumstances.

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 remains relevant today and underpins the Common Law position.

The Role of Enforcement Agents

Enforcement Agents may attend land without notice and, where appropriate, assist with the removal of trespassers without a court order, provided actions remain lawful and proportionate.

Important: If peaceful access cannot be obtained (e.g. locked gates), Common Law eviction may not be available.
  • Attendance and notice where appropriate
  • Site-specific risk assessment
  • Reasonable time to vacate where required
  • Proportionate enforcement only
Benefits of Common Law

Faster and more cost-effective than issuing court proceedings, allowing land to be recovered without unnecessary delay.

Limitations

Every site is fact-sensitive. Some cases require alternative planning or a court-based approach.

Special Considerations

Local authorities must consider Human Rights obligations and welfare factors, particularly where children are present.

Results Overview

Traveller and Trespasser Success Rate (2025–2026)

Below is the total success rate for October 2025 to October 2026 based on 117 traveller, trespasser and related site clearance instructions managed by UK Bailiffs.

78%

Vacated on Service

The site was vacated within the first 24 hours following service, attendance or immediate operational engagement.

21%

Evicted on Reattendance

The matter concluded following controlled reattendance, typically within 48 hours where a second operational step was required.

1%

Resolved After 48 Hours

A very small proportion required further follow-up beyond the initial reattendance stage before final clearance was achieved.

99%

Overall Success Rate

Total success rate across completed instructions, excluding matters withdrawn or resolved before formal action proceeded.

Results shown above are based on internal operational outcomes recorded across relevant instructions during the stated period.
Instruction Form

Submit Your Instruction

Complete the form below to send your instruction to our team for review. We will assess the information provided, confirm the appropriate next steps and advise you if anything further is required.

Important: Completing this form does not constitute acceptance of the instruction and does not create a contract. No action is taken until the matter has been reviewed and confirmed with you.

Where instructions relate to traveller, trespasser or unauthorised encampment matters, all instructions are subject to our Traveller & Trespasser Terms and Conditions.

What Happens Next

Once submitted, we will review the instruction and contact you to confirm acceptance. We may request further information as part of our standard checks and due diligence procedures before progressing matters.

If you have any questions before submitting the form, please contact our team at help@ukbailiffs.org.

FAQs

Trespasser & Traveller Evictions — Frequently Asked Questions

Clear guidance for landowners on common law eviction, notice, lawful conduct, and the practical steps we take to manage risk and resolve matters proportionately.

What is a Common Law eviction?

This refers to the landowner’s legal right to regain possession of private land from unauthorised occupiers without the need for a court order, using lawful and proportionate measures under the tort of trespass.

Do I need a court order to remove trespassers?

No. A court order is not required for open private land. A possession order is generally only needed where access is secured, such as locked buildings or gated land requiring forced entry.

Who can carry out the eviction?

Eviction may be carried out by the landowner or by appointed Certificated Enforcement Agents. Using experienced professionals helps ensure safety, proportionality, and legal compliance.

What kind of force is permitted?

Only reasonable and proportionate force is permitted. This may include guiding individuals away from the land or removing vehicles, but never aggressive, intimidating, or damaging conduct.

How quickly can UK Bailiffs respond?

In most cases, enforcement teams can be deployed within approximately two hours of instruction, covering locations across England and Wales.

Is advance notice required?

Yes. Written notice is normally served between 2 and 24 hours in advance, depending on the circumstances. Notices are handed directly or clearly displayed on site.

Can I evict trespassers myself?

While lawful in principle, self-help eviction carries significant practical and legal risks. Instructing trained enforcement agents greatly reduces the risk of escalation or liability.

What if they refuse to leave?

Our agents escalate matters proportionately, which may include additional personnel, vehicle removal, or liaison with police to prevent a breach of the peace.

What laws apply to this process?

Enforcement is governed primarily by civil trespass law, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and relevant Human Rights Act considerations.

Will the police attend?

Police may attend to prevent a breach of the peace but do not normally assist with civil eviction unless criminal behaviour or obstruction occurs.

What if there are children on site?

Where children are present, we liaise with relevant safeguarding services and ensure all welfare considerations are properly managed and documented.

What is the risk of excessive force?

Excessive or aggressive force is unlawful and may lead to criminal or civil liability. Our agents are trained to use only the minimum force necessary.

How do you deter re-entry?

Rapid deployment and consistent follow-up significantly reduce re-entry risk. Once properly evicted, the vast majority of trespassers do not return.

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