Safer Hartlepool

If you wish to improve the security of your boundary fence or wall for a domestic setting it is not recommended under the Occupiers Liability Act to use aggressive toppings such as broken glass or barbed wire.  These can cause injury and have been known to harm innocent persons.  If you do employ injuries toppings on a fence or wall such as barbed wire the Occupiers Liability Act requires you to put prominent warning signs on or near to the barriers to indicate the risk of injury if anyone attempts to climb on it.   Never use such toppings on a fence or wall that is less than 2m or 6ft 6ins high and never hide anything unpleasant such as carpet grippers on the inside of the fence.   Also under the Highways Act, if the fence borders a public highway the council can order you to remove the topping if they consider it dangerous.