UK Landlord Forum / Life

I served section 21 to the tenant that has not been paying rent, or should I say part paying. He accepted and agreed to move by 11th of this month. I have requested viewing of the property prior to this date. He has come up with every excuse under the sun. Finally he agreed to last Sunday, last minute he called and said too busy moving stuff and why couldn't it just be on date given. Explained property needed checking, and indeed would be checked again on his moving out date. He then agreed to Tuesday evening. On arrival my sister found tenant not in. She waited for a while, tried to call him no reply. On outside inspection she noted that one of the leaded double glazed panes in the living room window was missing and patched with plastic, when she walked around the back of the property she then discoved that one of my patio doors was completely gone and boarded up.
Through the window she could see dirty washing up, and a general mess. The back patio had a huge tractor tyre laying there, and my lawnmower and other garden tools had been left outside the garage to rot.
A friends son went to the property last night again and found no one there. Then when he returned even later he found the front door to be ajar. However he did not enter.
I managed to contact the tenant last night via email, and asked where he was. His reply was he would contact my sister today.
Questions are as follows:- Can we now legally enter property due to concern for items, and house.?
Do the police have to be called?
I am out of the country and have no way of returning right now. However damage will run into several figures by the sound of it. House is insured for tenanted property will they cover wilful damage though.?
He is not offering forwarding details. His partner left several months ago and is not employed by same company. He has also left the employment he had when tenancy started.
At my wits end.
Please anyone asap reply.