There are many reasons why a business needs to leave a property vacant and unguarded for an extended period of time. This can lead to a number of problems in terms of monitoring the building’s safety and condition, but also in terms of security, and a high profile example has recently highlighted how this can impact on a business and how effective canine security could be.
A commercial property can become vacant because a tenancy has run out and there is no new tenant, or there is a delay in the tenant moving in. The vacant property could be awaiting sale, or the incumbent business could have ceased trading, either permanently or temporarily. There are many other reasons too, and a recent example in Bishop’s Stortford has highlighted how easily a business can encounter problems if a vacant site is not properly monitored and patrolled.
In August 2021 the supermarket chain Lidl announced exciting plans to open a £12m new store on the site of a former Ford car dealership in Bishop’s Stortford. The site extended to over 25,000 square feet and would create 40 new jobs in the area, however, the proposal has met objections due to issues with access, traffic and noise and has yet to be granted planning permission. Therefore, the premises of the former car dealership have yet to be demolished and have sat empty for the last three years.
Eviction notice served by Lidl on traveller group
On September 24th a group from the travelling community entered the site with vehicles and set up camp. Lidl management were informed and immediately served an eviction notice on the traveller group. Police were also called, but all they could do was monitor the area until any criminal offence was committed. Unauthorised encampment is not a criminal offence unless entry has been forced, or violence has occurred, it is a civil matter and therefore, police cannot intervene, or assist with an eviction, until an actual offence takes place.
Although there are no firm timescales for work to progress on the site, Lidl claim that they still intend to pursue the development as planned and hope to see work commence “later this year”. In the meantime, they are awaiting the eviction notice being progressed. The issue is clearly impacting on Lidl’s public profile and has the potential to create bad publicity for the company, particularly if the issue is not resolved quickly or peacefully. This incident could lead to further issues of trespass, encampment or vandalism. It can also result in possible court costs. It should also be noted that this unauthorised encampment will be indirectly impacting on the public profile of the Ford car group, whose buildings still exist and who passers-by will associate with the problem.
There are two ways to deal with trespassers setting up camp on private land, using the common law method and using the writ of possession method. Lidl have opted for the second method by issuing an eviction notice, but this can take time to progress through the courts. Both methods require the situation to be dealt with professionally and peacefully. Using the common law method you can ask a certified enforcement officer (CEO) – formerly known as a bailiff – and dog security to accompany you as you ask the group to vacate your premises. You can also use dog security to assist when serving an eviction notice.
Employing dog security to help resolve an unauthorised encampment
If the situation escalates, a professional dog security team trained to deal with site evictions, such as those employed by React K9, know how to use reasonable force and how to react in each type of scenario, ensuring legal compliance and the best possible resolution to the situation.
If you are managing a vacant property, we would advise that you employ dog security to monitor the site periodically as a means of protecting its safety and integrity and to guard against possible trespass, vandalism, theft and encampment. But if you are already faced with an unauthorised encampment we would recommend the use of dog security from React K9; a professional security solution who can help you resolve the situation peacefully, lawfully and successfully, so get in touch today.
