The steps we take to manage unauthorised encampments
Step 1
One to two working days
- We visit the group, notify them of the trespass and carry out welfare assessments.
- We offer the group the use of a council owned transit site if available and appropriate.
- The group is visited by neighbourhood police team.
Step 2
Five to ten working days
- We make referrals in response to information from the welfare assessments.
- We make referrals to Bristol Waste to arrange for bins to be provided.
- We send a written report to the land owner for them to start legal proceedings.
Step 3
Five to six weeks
- The council department responsible for the land makes a referral to the council legal team.
- The legal department prepare a case and request a hearing date at the county court for a possession order. Average wait time can be 4 to 6 weeks.
- A county court summons is issued to the group at least two days before the court case.
Step 4
One to two working days
- Once granted security services visit the group and instruct them to leave by serving the possession order.
Step 5
- If the group does not leave, we can return to county court to ask for a warrant for county court bailiffs to visit.
- This can also be increased to a High Court Writ which can lead to prosecution.