An encampment said to resemble “the back streets of Rio” has been ordered to be shut down by the High Court.

The River Lea Anglers club claimed that people who are living in shelters in the woodland off of Advent Way, Upper Edmonton, were living there illegally and had been intimidating passers by and club members.

Following the story in the Enfield Independent last month, senior officer Master Marsh at the High Court granted Transport for London possession of the site on Friday, October 3.

Representing TfL, solicitor David Linklater told the court that most of the occupants were from Romania and there was also a group of Polish immigrants on the site.

He also said some had left voluntarily but others had remained on the site, with some claiming there are more than 40 are on the site.

Mr Marsh said the fire brigade was concerned the site had become a fire hazard and there were gas canisters being used which could cause an explosion.

There was also an electricity pylon close by which could make fighting a fire more hazardous for the occupants and the fire fighters.

This meant that for health and safety reasons the order for possession was granted.

Mr Linklater said the plan was to move in with other agencies and other landowners in the area to clear the site and see if the occupants can be re-located.

The site where more than 15 shacks have been built from discarded timber and pallets and with multiple occupants was “filthy” said Mr Linklater.

A TfL spokesman said: “We have secured an order for possession from the High Court allowing the removal of the people unlawfully occupying our land near the Cooks Ferry roundabout in Edmonton.

“We will work with the local police and immigration services to coordinate the safe removal of the occupiers and will agree measures to prevent their return to the site.

“Following the removal process, we will take action to tidy and clean up the area.”