past tenants property

Other

I have recently had a tenant leave, and the new tenant takes possession on friday this week. The past tenant has left some equipment in the garage, and has a padlock on the door. We have spoke with them on numerous occassions and asked them to clear it. They vacated the property about 4 weeks ago. When the new tenants move in on friday, they will want the use of the garage. What am I legally entitled to do? Can I cut the lock off and clear the garage and just dump the equipment? And once the new tenants have moved in, do the past tenants have any rights to come back onto the property, to try and collect their equipment, or would they then be breaking the law? The new tenants contract date is from Friday of this week.

I am told by the police that the if the past tenants walk onto the property and make no damage, i.e break locks or forced entry, it is not a police matter, but a civil matter of trespass?

A speedy response would be good! Many thanks