As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, we are looking back at some of our major cases that have been strongly influential in developing the way we work.

Background to the Manchester Airport protest

The Manchester Airport protest stands out as one of the most significant and challenging evictions we’ve ever been involved in. The protest emerged in response to plans to expand the airport, which required the removal of large areas of woodland.

The site itself was vast, with multiple encampments, tree houses and an extensive network of tunnels. The protesters were well-organised, highly motivated and determined to resist eviction for as long as possible.

Acting as UK Evict, prior to becoming the National Eviction Team, it was clear to us from the outset that this would be a complex operation, both logistically and in terms of safety and public scrutiny.

How the protest developed

The protest at Manchester Airport didn’t spring up overnight. Protesters had been on site for around six months before we were brought in, establishing a well-defended network of seven separate camps just outside the airport perimeter.

There were two main protest groups: Coalition Against Runway 2 (CAR2) and Manchester Airport Joint Action Group (MAJAG).

Their main aim was to prevent the felling of trees for radar equipment and airport expansion. Over time, the camps grew in both size and complexity, with multiple zones—each presenting its own unique challenges.

Arthur’s Wood, for example, was notorious for its steep inclines and clusters of tree houses, some of which were connected by treetop rope bridges and platforms. Protesters constructed tunnels, drop shafts and various barricades, making removal efforts extremely difficult.

The camps were constantly supplied and reinforced by local supporters and new faces arrived regularly, especially on weekends.

What the National Eviction Team did to undertake the eviction

When we were called in, our reputation for handling complex evictions preceded us. The operation was coordinated under the direction of the Under Sheriff of Cheshire, Randal Hibbert, who acted as Gold Command, while we managed the day-to-day execution and oversight of all the involved parties on the ground.

Our approach was systematic: first, we cleared the ground level, securing each zone before moving on to higher structures and then tackling the tunnels.

The eviction itself lasted about six weeks, though the protest had been ongoing for much longer. At its peak, there were up to one thousand security personnel on site, reflecting the sheer scale of the operation.

Throughout, we emphasised safety, respect and the gradual building of trust with the protesters—essential for preventing rash and potentially harmful actions and ensuring everyone’s wellbeing.

The specialist teams and equipment we used

Given the complexity of the site, we relied heavily on specialist teams and equipment. Our climbing team was responsible for removing protesters from tree houses and rope bridges, often working at considerable heights and in challenging conditions.

The tunnelling team handled the hazardous task of extracting protesters from underground.

We also had a Quick Response Team equipped with quad bikes for rapid movement across the site – it took 20 minutes to get from one end of the site to the other – and a Health & Safety team, both of which became an integral part of the National Eviction Team and our dynamic risk assessment capability.

We also had a permanent doctor who was stationed on site 24/7 to deal with any medical emergencies, of which there were a few, including a treetop protester who got dysentery.

Miles of Heras fencing were erected to secure the perimeter and prevent further incursions, which were attempted virtually every night.

Over time, our equipment and procedures evolved—today, for example, we use dual-compressor air supply units and have even more robust health and safety protocols, many of which were shaped by experiences at Manchester Airport.

Our core team members at Manchester Airport

The core team included Mike Anderson, Gary Bovan and Alan Smith, among others who came under different organisational umbrellas. The operation was a true team effort, with each member bringing unique skills and experience.

Many of us “cut our teeth” on this and similar large-scale cases and several key figures from Manchester Airport continue to play leading roles in the National Eviction Team today.

The standout moments from the eviction

Several moments from the Manchester Airport eviction remain vivid:

• The sheer scale of the site—multiple camps, dozens of tree houses and up to fifteen tunnels—was unlike anything we’d encountered before
• The terrain, especially in Arthur’s Wood, was exceptionally challenging, with steep ravines and dense woodland making access difficult
• Protesters employed a range of tactics, from lock-ons and booby traps to elaborate tunnel systems
• There were tense moments, particularly in the early weeks, with physical confrontations, knife threats and working in the flow of the river to remove protesters trying to float downstream
• One protester, known as “Disco Dave,” set a record for time spent underground, while others constructed ingenious barricades and lock-on devices. Daniel Hooper, better known as Swampy, was also amongst the protesters

Despite the adversarial nature of the operation, mutual respect gradually developed between our team and the protesters, which was crucial for maintaining safety and order. The experience fundamentally shaped our approach to large-scale evictions and influenced the development of new policies and procedures within the NET.

What we learned

This was our first airport protest, but we have worked on several since and have built up a great deal of expertise in this area. Safety and trust are paramount, in our experience.

If you would like to find out more, please get in touch.