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.
