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Unauthorised encampments and trespassing on land without consent

Public order public safety — Authorised Professional Practice

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Summary

This page provides thematic guidance related to the policing of unauthorised encampments and incidents of trespassing on land without consent. It outlines specific operational advice designed to assist police forces during such incidents. Officers can access professional practice guidelines that detail the legislation, planning, and command structures relevant to dealing with these situations. It emphasizes the importance of appropriate planning, community engagement, and tactical options to ensure effective management and resolution of these incidents. The guidance also connects to broader public order and public safety principles relevant to police work.

Key principles

  • 1Policing unauthorised encampments necessitates a structured approach.
  • 2Cooperation with communities is essential for effective policing.
  • 3Understanding relevant legislation is critical for officers involved in public order.
  • 4Preparation and planning are key components of responding to unauthorised encampments.

Defined terms

Public order
Refers to the principle of maintaining peace and preventing disorder in public spaces.
Public safety
The protection of the public from harm and hazards.

Full guidance

This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.

has been produced to assist forces in the policing of incidents involving unauthorised encampments and trespassing on land without consent. (You will need to log in to College Learn.)

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Reproduced from the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as captured on 2026-06-27. APP is amended over time — check the source link below for the current version. This is a reference, not operational authorisation.

APP is the authoritative source for UK policing practice and is updated over time. For the current, official version — including any operational detail not reproduced here — go direct.

Read the full APP guidance

Source: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.