the police could prevent him from doing that
The police can never interfere as this situation is totally civil.Even if the landlord wants him out he has to send him legal letter giving a months notice to vacate,if he doesn't then the landlord can go to court.Tenant has to be paying in time though all the while or habitual late payer charge can also be used by the landlord.
it's unlikely he'd dare
I bet you he can dare,last January I did throw out a nasty salon owner giving her 2 months notice who was later begging me to let her stay as her business was booming on nowegrodska and she was in middle of her 3 year contract.