Traveller, Trespasser & Rough Sleeper Evictions by Bailiffs
Our certificated enforcement agents attend sites across England and Wales to serve notice and remove illegal occupants — including travellers, trespassers, and rough sleepers — restoring possession of your land or property.
If your land is occupied by travellers, trespassers, or rough sleepers and they are refusing to leave, you can take swift, legal action. You don’t always need to go to court. Here’s how.
- Common Law – Fastest option, no court order needed
- CPR Part 55 Writ – For persistent or building occupations
- Police Powers (S61) – When there is disruption, threats or fly-tipping
- 24/7 response team across England & Wales
- Fully certificated enforcement agents
- Clean-up, lock changes & site security available
- Your authority as landowner or agent
- Site address and brief overview of what's happening
- Photos 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 issue, get guidance, and confirm fees.
- Online Form: Complete a short instruction form — we prepare and issue legal documents.
- Agent Deployment: Enforcement agents are dispatched, often within 2 hours.
- Notice & Risk Assessment: Notices are served, and agents assess the site on arrival.
- Strategy Options:
- Peaceful Eviction: Reasonable deadline set for voluntary leave.
- Extended Time: Offered if trespassers cooperate.
- Escalation: Add agents, dog units, or recovery vehicles.
- Full Removal: Complete site clearance as a last resort.
- Final Enforcement: Action taken in line with the chosen approach, always legally compliant.
- Serve Only: We serve legal notice and carry out 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.
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.
Below is the total success rate for October 2023 - October 2024 based on 97 evictions
65%
Vacated on Service (24 hours)
33%
Evicted following Reattendance (48 hours)
1%
Evicted After 48 hours
99%
Total Success Rate (Excludes those who left before instruction was cancelled)
What is a Common Law eviction?
This refers to the landowner’s legal right to regain possession of private land from unauthorised occupiers without needing a court order, using lawful means in accordance with the tort of trespass.
Do I need a court order to remove trespassers?
No — not for open private land. A possession order is only required where the site is secured (e.g. locked buildings or gates requiring forced entry).
Who can carry out the eviction?
Either the landowner or appointed Certificated Enforcement Agents. Using experienced agents ensures safety and legal compliance under civil law.
What kind of force is permitted?
Only proportionate, non-aggressive action is allowed — such as physically guiding individuals or removing vehicles, without damage or intimidation.
How quickly can UK Bailiffs respond?
We typically deploy enforcement teams to your location within 2 hours of instruction, across England and Wales.
Is advance notice required?
Yes. We generally serve 2 to 24 hours written notice depending on the level of disruption. Notices are handed directly or fixed visibly onsite.
Can I evict trespassers myself?
While legally permitted, personal enforcement carries significant risks. We strongly recommend instructing trained agents to avoid liability or escalation.
What if they refuse to leave?
Our agents will escalate proportionately — including use of tow trucks, additional agents, or police assistance to restore possession safely.
What laws apply to this process?
Our actions are governed by civil trespass law, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and the Human Rights Act where applicable.
Will the police attend?
Police may attend to prevent a breach of the peace but do not usually assist unless criminal activity occurs or obstruction is involved.
What if there are children on site?
We coordinate with local safeguarding services to ensure child welfare obligations are met and documented during the eviction process.
What is the risk of excessive force?
Excessive or aggressive behaviour is illegal and may result in prosecution. Our agents use only the minimal level of force necessary to regain possession.
How do you deter re-entry?
Our 99% success rate is due to rapid deployment and persistent follow-up. Most trespassers do not return once properly evicted by enforcement agents.
Instruction Form
Completing the form does not constitute a contract or acceptance of the instruction.
What Happens Next?
Once submitted, we will email you for acceptance and then begin the process. We may also request further details as part of our due diligence procedures. If you have any questions in relation to the instructions, please email us at help@ukbailiffs.org.
