Background: An Earlier Forfeiture Attempt Had Failed by a different Enforcement Company
The client contacted Absolute Enforcement regarding the forfeiture of multiple commercial units situated on a relatively small commercial site in a densely populated area of South East London.
This was not the first attempt to recover possession.
Another enforcement company had previously attended the site and successfully gained entry. However, alarms were activated while the premises were being secured and a number of people subsequently attended the site. The situation became increasingly confrontational and the enforcement agents were physically removed from the premises.
Police assistance was requested, but the circumstances ultimately resulted in the agents standing down and control of the site remaining with the tenant.
Following the unsuccessful operation, the landlord had lost confidence that the site could be recovered using the same approach and contacted Absolute Enforcement to assess whether we could take over the instruction.
For us, the previous attempt provided important intelligence. It demonstrated that this was unlikely to be a straightforward commercial forfeiture and that gaining entry was only one part of the operation. The greater challenge would be securing the entire site and maintaining control once the tenant and others became aware that the forfeiture was taking place.
Intelligence Gathering and Site Risk Assessment
Before agreeing an operational plan, we recommended carrying out a detailed site reconnaissance and risk assessment.
An experienced member of our enforcement team attended the area in civilian clothing so that the normal operation of the site could be observed without unnecessarily alerting the occupants to a potential future enforcement operation.
From a suitable location overlooking the site, we were able to observe activity across the commercial units and establish a clearer understanding of:
- access and exit points;
- shutters, doors and locking systems;
- CCTV and other security measures;
- the layout of the individual units;
- normal levels of activity and occupation;
- people regularly attending the site;
- potential areas where access could be restricted or defended; and
- the surrounding environment and potential risks arising from third parties attending.
Further observations were then made from publicly accessible areas around the site, allowing additional information and photographs to be obtained for operational planning.
We also made enquiries through appropriate local contacts and reviewed available information concerning the businesses and surrounding area. This helped identify additional potential risks that needed to be considered when planning the operation.
The intelligence gathered during the reconnaissance provided a much clearer picture of what our enforcement and security teams could potentially face.
Building the Operational Plan
Following the reconnaissance, Absolute Enforcement prepared a detailed risk assessment and operational plan for the landlord.
The plan considered not only how possession could initially be recovered, but importantly how control of the site could be secured and maintained afterwards.
The operation required coordination between several specialist resources, including:
- enforcement agents;
- security personnel;
- security dog units;
- specialist locksmiths;
- Heras fencing;
- concrete barriers/bollards; and
- additional resources capable of being deployed if circumstances changed.
The operational plan considered how each resource would be deployed, the anticipated sequence of events and the potential response once activity on the site was detected.
Because no operational plan can predict exactly how people will respond, dynamic risk assessment formed an important part of the strategy. Resources could be increased, repositioned or stood down as circumstances developed, with the safety of everyone involved remaining central to operational decisions.
Keeping the Element of Surprise
Confidentiality was critical.
The previous attempt demonstrated how quickly third parties could attend once activity at the site became known. Information concerning the proposed date, time, resources and method of entry was therefore restricted to those who needed it for the operation.
The completed risk assessment and operational plan were presented to the landlord. Once the proposed strategy and resources had been reviewed and approved, preparations began for the forfeiture.
This time, the objective wasn’t simply to enter the premises.
It was to take control, secure the site and be prepared to hold it.
Complex Commercial Forfeiture: Taking Control in Under 17 Minutes
Following the detailed reconnaissance, risk assessment and operational planning, the forfeiture operation was approved and the specialist team was assembled.
The operation required:
- 1 Enforcement Team Leader
- 3 Enforcement Agents
- 8 Security Personnel
- 2 Security Dog Units
- 3 Specialist Locksmiths
- Fencing Contractors
- Concrete Barrier Contractors
The scale of the deployment reflected the risks identified during the planning stage and the importance of not simply gaining entry, but securing and maintaining control of the entire site.
The Operation Begins
In the early hours of the operation, the Enforcement Team Leader carried out a final drive-by of the site. The commercial units appeared closed and there was no obvious activity.
The operational team assembled a short distance away, where a final briefing was delivered. Every team member was given clear instructions regarding their role, the sequence of the operation, identified risks and the actions required once control of the site had been established.
Shortly afterwards, the entire team deployed in convoy to the target site.
Securing the Commercial Site
On arrival, the enforcement and security teams immediately moved into their predetermined positions.
The perimeter was secured while contractors installed Heras fencing and concrete barriers around strategic access points. At the same time, three locksmiths began securing the external shutters and access points serving the multiple commercial units.
Security personnel and dog units were positioned to help maintain control of the site while the securing works were completed.
The operation had deliberately been designed so that these activities happened simultaneously. This significantly reduced the period between gaining control and having a physically secured perimeter.
Control Achieved
Approximately 16 minutes after the operation commenced, the security fencing and concrete barriers were in position and Absolute Enforcement had established control of the perimeter.
This was an important milestone, but it was not the end of the operation.
Based on the intelligence gathered beforehand and what had happened during the previous forfeiture attempt, we anticipated that the greater challenge could begin once people connected with the premises became aware that control had been taken.
The operational plan therefore moved immediately from taking control to holding and protecting the site.
