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Do you have expertise with removing activists protesting against environmental projects?
Yes, we regularly manage the safe removal of protesters and activists from energy and national infrastructure sites, including oil and gas pipelines and terminals , nuclear power stations and airports.
Read more: Grow Heathrow great escape tunnel and Managing protests at nuclear power plants
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Do you have expertise with activists protesting against infrastructure projects?
Yes, we regularly manage the safe removal of protesters and activists from infrastructure projects such as railways, roads and airports.
Read more: All protesters safely removed from Euston Square and Squatters in a Network Rail site in Cornerhouse Manchester
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How do you deal with protesters’ rights under the Human Rights Act?
This is considered and set out in detail in the operational plan and processes for the specific eviction.
Read more: Nine steps for a successful eviction
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What is a lock-on and how do you remove them?
A lock-on device is used by protesters to physically attach themselves to a structure, vehicle or tree. We deploy specialist trained and equipped officers to remove such persons safely and effectively, at height and on or even beneath the ground.
Read more: Lock-ons at height and in tunnels and Lock-ons concrete barbed wire booby traps
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How do you prepare for a squatter eviction or protester eviction?
We undertake a thorough survey of the site and compile a detailed operational plan which incorporates specific risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work to prepare for a squatter eviction or trespasser removal.
Read more: Nine steps for a successful eviction
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How do you work with the Police?
We work closely with the Police when planning and conducting an eviction of squatters, trespassers, travelers or protesters. Under c. 39, Schedule 7, p.5 of the Courts Act 2003, Police constables have a duty to assist an HCEO and/or their agents enforcing a High Court writ. It is not intended that the Police officers will take on the role of civil enforcement officers acting at the direction of the HCEO to evict persons from the land.
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Where do you operate?
For the removal/eviction of protesters, trespassers, squatters, travellers or activists, we operate across England and Wales and can also act in Scotland under the direction and control of the Messengers at Arms.
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Do we need to make the site secure after the eviction of travelers, squatters or protesters?
Yes, securing the site is essential to prevent re-occupation by the same or other trespassers, squatters, protesters or travelers. Call us on 03330 031919 to discuss your security requirements.
Read more: Security post eviction
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Can you remove travellers without a writ of possession?
Yes, we can normally evict travelers from a site under common law. Please call us on 03330 031919 to discuss your situation. We offer a free initial consultation.
Read more: Traveller removal and Protester removal writ of possession or common law -
Can you enforce a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to remove protesters?
Yes we can enforce a CPO, as authorised High Court Enforcement Officers (formerly known as sheriffs officers) to evict trespassers and protesters/activists from a site. Only an Authorised HCEO is empowered to do this.
Read more: CPO eviction and How to enforce a compulsory purchase order -
We believe we are at risk of activists and protesters on our premises. How can we prepare for this?
Please call us on 03330 031919 to discuss your situation and help you get a plan in place. The safe removal of protesters, activists or trespassers/squatters is a specialist area in which we have a great deal of expertise.
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What safety standards do you work to when evicting squatters, trespassers, travelers and protesters?
We work to the standards required by the HASAW Act 1974 and the regulations under the Act, including the CDM regulations, which apply when protester-built tunnels need to be excavated or resistive structures removed.
Read more: Nine steps for a successful eviction -
Do you prepare risk assessments for an eviction of squatters, protesters, travelers and trespassers?
Yes we do prepare risk assessments for the eviction of squatters, protesters, travellers and protesters, together with detailed method statements and safe systems of work which are required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Read more: Risk assessment and Risk assessments what they should include -
What can you do to remove protesters and activists from tunnels?
We have a specialist team and the right equipment to remove them safely.
Read more: Specialist teams and Demonstrators who protest in tunnels -
What can you do when protesters climb onto buildings, roofs or treetops?
We have a specialist team and the right equipment to remove protesters, trespassers or squatters safely.
Read more: Specialist teams and Safely working at height
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How do I get a writ of possession?
We will manage the transfer up process of the possession order on your behalf. Simply get in touch on 03330 031919 to discuss your situation. We offer a free initial consultation.
Whilst you might find you can evict travellers under Common Law, you will require a writ of possession to remove squatters or protesters from land or commercial property.
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Where should I start my possession claim – High Court or County Court?
The majority of possession claims will start in the county court, rather than the High Court. However, there are some specific circumstances where the case may start there.
- There are complicated disputes of fact
- There are points of law of general importance
- The claim is against trespassers and there is a substantial risk of public disturbance or of serious harm to persons or property which properly require immediate determination
Read more: When to start your possession claim in the High Court
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Do I need to get a possession order?
Yes, you will need a possession order to remove protesters, activists, squatters and trespassers. It may be possible to remove travellers under common law, depending on the circumstances. Please give us a ring on 03330 031919 to discuss your options.
Read more: Protester removal under a writ of possession or common law -
I have travellers on site now. What should I do?
Please call us on 03330 031919 to discuss your situation and the most appropriate approach to remove travelers. We offer a free initial consultation.
Read more: Traveller removal -
I have activists/protesters on our premises now. What should I do?
Please call us on 03330 031919 to discuss your situation and the most appropriate way to safely remove the protesters. We offer a free initial consultation.
Read more: Demonstrator evictions -
Why is "rescue" level insurance inadequate?
When a person is being genuinely rescued, they want to be taken to safety and will co-operate with their rescuer.
When removing a protester, they will have deliberately put themselves in danger to hinder the eviction, they will usually resist removal and this makes the dynamic of safe removal completely different, and higher risk, than a straight-forward rescue.
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How quickly can you undertake the eviction of squatters, protesters, trespassers or travellers?
Once the writ has been obtained, we can commence the eviction of the protesters, squatters, trespassers or travelers very quickly, potentially the same day if necessary, provided all the planning has been carried out.
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How much does it cost to use the National Eviction Team to remove protesters, squatters, trespassers or travellers?
There is a court fee (as of April 2025 this is £80) for the writ of possession, payable to HMCTS. We will transfer up the order for possession to the High Court at no charge.
In terms of our fees for the eviction, this will depend on the nature of the case and the work that will be involved. We will provide you with a detailed estimate for you to decide whether to instruct us. Our fees are competitively priced.
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Can you evict travelers under Common Law as well as a High Court writ of possession
Yes we can. We will consider the most appropriate option on a case-by-case basis and make our recommendation to the client.

