FAQs

An unauthorised encampment is when individuals or groups — often travellers or those without permanent accommodation — set up temporary living arrangements on land without the landowner’s permission. This can include public spaces (like parks or lay-bys) or private land (like car parks, industrial estates, and fields).

Key Facts –
🏕️ Defined by UK law as unauthorised occupation of land without consent
📍 Can occur on council, private, or commercial property
⚖️ Managed under sections of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA) and updated Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

Typical Issues Caused –
🚗 Blocked access to business premises, car parks, or public spaces
🗑️ Fly-tipping and waste left behind after departure
💷 Property damage or clean-up costs for landowners
😟 Safety or security concerns for staff or nearby residents

What Landowners Can Do –
📋 Report to the local council or police if trespassers refuse to leave
🔒 Install height-restriction barriers, bollards, or gates to prevent unauthorised vehicle access
🚧 Maintain secure perimeters and signage stating “Private Land – No Access”

At Aremco Barriers, we help landowners and councils prevent unauthorised encampments with UK-manufactured steel barriers, gates, and bollards. Our products stop vehicle access to open land and car parks — providing a long-term, low-maintenance deterrent.

When an unauthorised encampment is set up on private land, the landowner still has legal rights to reclaim possession — but must follow the correct process under UK law. Taking direct action without proper procedure can lead to legal complications, so it’s important to act lawfully and quickly.

Your Legal Rights as a Landowner –
⚖️ You have the right to request the occupants leave your land immediately
📋 If they refuse, you can apply to the courts for a possession order under Part 55 of the Civil Procedure Rules
🚓 You can report the encampment to the police if criminal damage, trespass, or public disorder occurs

What the Police Can Do –
🚔 Under Sections 61–62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, police can direct trespassers to leave if:
 • There are six or more vehicles on the land
 • The landowner has asked them to leave and they’ve refused
 • Damage, threats, or disorder have occurred

What You Can’t Do –
❌ You cannot personally use force or remove vehicles yourself
❌ Avoid blocking exits or taking actions that may be considered harassment
❌ Always follow proper notice and eviction procedures

Preventing Future Encampments –
🔒 Install height barriers, bollards, or gates to restrict vehicle access
🚧 Add clear signage stating “Private Land – No Access”
📹 Use CCTV and lighting to deter future attempts

At Aremco Barriers, we supply UK-manufactured steel barriers, bollards, and gates that help private landowners prevent unauthorised encampments altogether — protecting property, access, and peace of mind.

In the UK, the police have specific powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA) — strengthened further by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 — to remove unauthorised encampments from both public and private land. Reference from here.

Key Police Powers (CJPOA Sections 61–62) –
🚓 Police can direct trespassers to leave the land immediately if:
 • The landowner has asked them to leave and they’ve refused
 • There are two or more people and one or more vehicles on the land
 • There has been damage, threats, or disorderly behaviour
 • The encampment is causing disruption or distress to the community
📋 Failure to comply can lead to arrest, fines, or vehicle seizure

Enhanced Powers (2022 Act) –
⚖️ Police can now act more quickly, without needing the landowner to first seek a possession order
🚔 Repeat offenders can face up to 3 months in prison, a fine, or both
🚚 Officers may seize vehicles and property used to commit the offence

What the Police Cannot Do –
❌ Remove an encampment without meeting legal criteria
❌ Evict instantly if the situation is peaceful and causes minimal disruption
❌ Act on civil trespass cases unless the threshold for criminal activity or disruption is reached

Best Practice for Landowners –
📞 Contact your local council and police as soon as an encampment appears
🧱 Prevent re-entry by installing height barriers, bollards, or gates once the site is cleared
💡 Maintain clear signage stating “Private Land – No Access”

At Aremco Barriers, we work with councils, landowners, and businesses to prevent unauthorised encampments before they start — using UK-manufactured steel barriers, gates, and bollards that block vehicle access to vulnerable land.

Not always. While local councils have a duty to manage unauthorised encampments, they’re not required to remove them immediately. Before taking action, councils must assess the situation, follow legal procedures, and balance the rights of both the landowner (the council) and the occupants.

Council Responsibilities –
🏛️ Councils must assess the encampment under guidance from the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA)
📋 They’ll consider:
 • The impact on the local community
 • Health and welfare needs of the occupants
 • Whether there has been damage, obstruction, or antisocial behaviour
⚖️ If removal is justified, they can issue a Direction to Leave or apply to the courts for a possession order

When Councils May Delay Action –
⏳ If there are young children, pregnant women, or ill individuals present
🛠️ When alternative authorised sites need to be arranged
🚔 If police involvement is already underway

When Immediate Action Is Possible –
🚫 If the encampment poses a safety risk, blocks essential access, or involves criminal damage or intimidation
🚓 Police may be asked to assist under Sections 61–62 CJPOA

Prevention for the Future –
🔒 Councils often install height barriers, gates, and bollards to prevent re-entry
📹 Regular site monitoring helps detect unauthorised access early

At Aremco Barriers, we supply UK-manufactured steel barriers and bollards to councils nationwide — helping prevent unauthorised encampments and maintain public safety across car parks, parks, and open spaces.

If an unauthorised encampment sets up on private land, the landowner has the legal right to reclaim possession, but it must be done lawfully. The correct procedure depends on whether the trespassers leave voluntarily or need to be removed through the courts.

Step-by-Step Eviction Process –
1️⃣ Ask the trespassers to leave – in writing, stating that they are on private land without consent.
2️⃣ Record details – number of vehicles, registration plates, photos, and any damage or antisocial behaviour.
3️⃣ Contact the local council or police – they can advise or act if there’s criminal damage, threats, or disorder.
4️⃣ Apply for a court order – if they refuse to leave, apply for a Possession Order under Part 55 of the Civil Procedure Rules.
5️⃣ Enforce the court order – once granted, County Court bailiffs or High Court Enforcement Officers can legally remove the encampment.

Police Powers (Sections 61–62 CJPOA) –
🚓 Police can assist in removal if there are multiple vehicles, damage, or threats to safety.
🚔 They can direct trespassers to leave and seize vehicles if instructions are ignored.

Important Notes for Landowners –
⚠️ Do not use force or obstruct exits — this could result in legal action against the landowner.
📋 Keep all documentation and photos for insurance or court purposes.
🔒 Once cleared, install barriers, gates, or bollards to prevent repeat encampments.

Responsibility for cleaning and repairing damage after an unauthorised encampment depends on who owns the land. In most cases, the landowner is responsible — though councils or police may assist in serious or hazardous cases.

If the Land Is Private –
🏗️ The landowner must arrange and pay for waste removal, cleaning, and repairs
🧾 Costs can include skip hire, specialist cleaning, fencing repairs, and security upgrades
⚖️ Landowners can pursue compensation through the courts, but this is often difficult if no individuals are identified
🔒 Preventative measures — such as barriers, gates, and bollards — help avoid repeat incidents and cleanup costs

If the Land Is Council-Owned –
🏛️ The local authority is responsible for clearing public spaces once the site is vacated
🚛 Councils often work with environmental health teams and waste contractors to remove rubbish, debris, and hazardous materials
📋 Some councils issue press releases or public updates once sites are cleared to reassure residents

What the Police Can Do –
🚔 The police can assist if criminal damage, arson, or hazardous waste is involved
📷 They may collect evidence for prosecution or insurance purposes

Typical Aftermath Costs –
💷 Clean-up and waste disposal
🧱 Repairing damaged fencing or locks
🌿 Restoring land or landscaping
💡 Installing permanent deterrents such as height barriers or bollards

The most effective way to stop unauthorised encampments is to physically prevent vehicles from accessing the land. Once vehicles are blocked, encampments are far less likely to form. A combination of barriers, bollards, and good site management provides long-term protection for both private and public land.

Physical Deterrents –
🔒 Height-restriction barriers – stop caravans, motorhomes, and large vehicles from entering car parks or open land
🧱 Removable or telescopic bollards – provide flexible security for access points used by authorised vehicles
🚧 Fixed steel barriers or gates – permanently secure unused entrances or vulnerable boundaries
🏗️ Earth bunds, fencing, or planters – additional options for rural or landscaped sites

Site Management Measures –
💡 Install CCTV and motion lighting – visible surveillance deters trespass and supports police if incidents occur
📋 Clear signage – “Private Land – No Unauthorised Access” signs reinforce your right to take legal action
🚓 Regular site checks – ensure gates and locks are maintained, and no weak spots have developed
🧾 Keep records – document access control and maintenance in case of disputes or claims

Preventing Repeat Incidents –
✅ Reinforce or redesign entrances after previous trespass attempts
⚙️ Use lockable posts at service roads and field entrances
🏗️ Work with local authorities if your land borders public highways or parks

At Aremco Barriers, we help landowners protect sites from unauthorised encampments with UK-manufactured steel barriers, bollards, and gates — designed to withstand vehicle impact and provide visible, lasting deterrence.