Bursledon allotments in Southampton banned from using barbed wire

The decision has been branded ‘crazy’ by allotment owners at the Muddy Bottom East Allotment on Bursledon Road where property is being damaged up to three times a week.

Gardeners at the popular spot demanded the barbed wire after being left hundreds of pounds out of pocket by thieves breaking into sheds and uprooting produce.

But following a visit from two health and safety officers in June horticulturists were left stunned when they were told they could not have it in case vandals hurt themselves climbing over it.

Grandad Mervyn Hobden, 67, a former Merchant Navy pump man, of Thornhill, who rents several allotment spaces at Muddy Bottom East, said: “It’s a crazy situation. Health and safety have told me they have a liability towards the trespasser to make sure they don’t hurt themselves while they are vandalising or stealing our property.

But at the same time they will not accept any liability towards our damaged property, which is supposed to be secure for rent paying tenants.

Recent incidents have included 15 sheds being smashed open, water butts pushed over and taps turned on.

Mervyn added: “There have been many people who have packed it in over the years because of the vandalism People are frightened and they shouldn’t be.

The council should be doing everything they can to help us.”

Bizarrely Southampton City Council has allowed barbed wire that was put up around the entrance to the allotments to remain, because it is “historic”. Under the rules no new wire can been added.

A spokesman said: “We are working with the police and allotment holders to address concerns about vandalism within our allotments. On the one hand we need to make sure our allotments are secure, while on the other we need to make sure our allotments are safe places.

“A member of the public that falls on the barbed wire can prosecute the council and that can include thieves. It’s for health and safety reasons.”

Sonia Blandford, treasurer of the Southampton Allotment and Garden Society, said vandalism across Southampton was a ‘huge problem’.

She said: “If people decide to break in to your property the fact that they have chosen to do that should negate any claim against you if they hurt themselves.

What about our rights?”

Donna McDaid, a spokeswoman for the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd, said: “The whole health and safety thing has gone too far.

Personally, if I saw a barbed wire fence I certainly would not break in.”