Part V

Public Order: Unauthorised encampments and Collective Trespass or Nuisance on Land

Powers to remove unauthorised campers

Orders for removal of persons and their vehicles unlawfully on land.
78
1
A magistrates’ court may, on a complaint made by a local authority, if satisfied that persons and vehicles in which they are residing are present on land within that authority’s area in contravention of a direction given under section 77, make an order requiring the removal of any vehicle or other property which is so present on the land and any person residing in it.
2
An order under this section may authorise the local authority to take such steps as are reasonably necessary to ensure that the order is complied with and, in particular, may authorise the authority, by its officers and servants—
a
to enter upon the land specified in the order; and
b
to take, in relation to any vehicle or property to be removed in pursuance of the order, such steps for securing entry and rendering it suitable for removal as may be so specified.
3
The local authority shall not enter upon any occupied land unless they have given to the owner and occupier at least 24 hours notice of their intention to do so, or unless after reasonable inquiries they are unable to ascertain their names and addresses.
4
A person who wilfully obstructs any person in the exercise of any power conferred on him by an order under this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
5
Where a complaint is made under this section, a summons issued by the court requiring the person or persons to whom it is directed to appear before the court to answer to the complaint may be directed—
a
to the occupant of a particular vehicle on the land in question; or
b
to all occupants of vehicles on the land in question, without naming him or them.
6
Section 55(2) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (warrant for arrest of defendant failing to appear) does not apply to proceedings on a complaint made under this section.
7
Section 77(6) of this Act applies also for the interpretation of this section.
1980 c. 43.
Words in Pt. 5 heading inserted (E.W.) (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 83(2), 208(5)(i)