The challenge of managing unauthorised encampments is one many local authorities face, particularly when using Section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA) to remove travellers from land. The process requires that notices are served promptly and in-person to the individuals involved, giving them a specific timeframe (usually 24 hours) to vacate the premises.
Serving these notices effectively is crucial to avoiding delays and ensuring the legal process runs smoothly. But what many local authorities may not realise is that they could benefit significantly from enlisting High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) to handle this aspect of the process.
Speed and availability
Time is often of the essence in these situations. The sooner a Section 77 notice is served, the sooner the process of eviction can legally begin, and the faster the local authority can resolve the issue. However, local authorities may not always have the resources available to respond swiftly to serving the notice.
This is where HCEOs come into their own. Specialising in quick, reactive deployments, these officers can often be on-site within as little as a few hours—an advantage that local authorities may find difficult to match with in-house resources. Their ability to respond rapidly ensures that the legal framework for eviction is upheld without unnecessary delays, and public spaces can be restored to their intended use more quickly.
Expertise and safety
HCEOs offer more than a quick response; they are highly trained and experienced in handling these situations. Serving Section 77 notices isn’t just about delivering paperwork—it involves dealing with sensitive situations. Members of the community may feel uneasy around authorities, and if things aren’t handled carefully, tensions can rise.
Unlike council staff, HCEOs regularly deal with a wide range of people in challenging situations. They are trained not only in the law but also in conflict resolution and de-escalation. With their professional and empathetic approach, they can serve notices calmly, and often their presence adds a layer of safety for both the community and the officers.
Maintaining positive relationships
One critical but often overlooked aspect of managing unauthorised encampments is the relationships that local authorities maintain with the travelling communities. In some cases, a local authority representative may have prior relationships with the group in question, and serving a notice could damage that relationship.
In contrast, HCEOs come in as neutral, third-party professionals. Their role is to uphold the legal process without personal ties to the community, helping to preserve the relationship between the local authority and the individuals involved.
HCEOs also have extensive experience communicating reasonably with the community and understand the importance of maintaining positive relationships.
Conclusion: Expertise where it matters
When local authorities are deciding how best to serve Section 77 notices, it’s important to consider more than just delivering the paperwork. The process requires speed, safety, and expertise. Marston Holdings HCEOs offer a combination of rapid response, specialised skills, and impartiality that internal teams may struggle to match.
Their experience with unauthorised encampments and ability to act swiftly and fairly make them an essential resource for local authorities. By relying on HCEOs, local authorities can ensure the process is carried out efficiently and with the care it demands.
