Bristol City Council Arresting The Homeless! BHAM & Protect The Downs, Judge Refuses an Injunction

Council fails to secure van dweller injunction A row of vans, caravans, and cars are parked up on a street with a green field lined with trees. Chloe Harcombe, Bristol and Pamela Muir, BBC Radio Bristol 16 April 2026 A council has not secured an extension of an injunction to prevent van dwellers from staying on roads around a green space in Bristol. Since July, an injunction has prohibited van dwellers from living on the grassed areas of Clifton Down, Durham Down and Ladies Mile. However, it does not cover the surrounding roads. There are believed to be more than 600 van dwellers in the city, with allegations of litter, public defecation and anti-social behaviour causing tension between them and residents. At Bristol County Court earlier, the council was granted a possession order which will allow officers to evict van dwellers from the roads within 21 days. The council said it had sought an extension of the injunction in "the interest of citizens" and for "protection of the rights of others". District Judge Napier told the council the possession order will allow its officers to serve van dwellers with 21 days¬ice to leave. The order can be used on the main roads around the Downs, including Parrys Lane, Roman Road, Stoke Road, Westbury Park Road, Saville Road, Clay Pitt Road, Rockleaze, Downleaze, Wills Lane and Circular Road. The council will have to apply for an eviction grant from the High Court to remove any occupants that refuse to vacate the site...