More blog items

For more information, please visit Haoshun Wire Mesh Manufacturing.

Are Anti Climb Spikes Legal

People considering various perimeter security solutions to bolster security around their homes and work premises often ask: Are anti climb spikes legal? The answer to this question is: yes they are - but you need to use them in accordance with the law. So in this post we look at the legal requirements which you need to be aware of.

Many of us are old enough to remember the days when it was common to see perimeter walls topped with broken glass. Back in the day, this was a popular form of intruder deterrent typically used around industrial premises and other areas to keep people out. I personally recall tearing my trousers when a local orchard used broken glass to prevent myself and my friends from climbing their walls and scrumping their lovely apples.

Today’s legislation means that we no longer see walls topped with broken glass but we do see fence spikes, wall spikes and other anti climb precautions which comply with existing laws.

UK Legislation

Today’s legislation really started with the Occupiers’ Liability Act which unified various classifications of visitors coming to property and the duty of care owed to them by the occupier. This law is still valid but has been updated by the Occupiers Liability Act which covers occupiers liability regarding trespassers. This act extended the duty of care responsibility of occupiers to protect everyone, including criminals, who may come into contact with potentially harmful hazards on their property.

Perimeter security precautions, like the use of broken glass, fall into this category which is one of the main reasons why this particular anti climb technique is no longer widely used.

Another important and relevant piece of UK legislation is the Highways Act . The local highway authority has a duty to ensure the safe use of the public highway and Section 164 of this act deals with what are described as ‘injurious toppings’, giving the local authority the power to have a barrier made from barbed wire, or having barbed wire on it, removed if its considered a potential nuisance.

The term ‘barbed wire’ in this context has been interpreted to include anything with spikes or jagged protrusions, which includes various anti climb devices. And the word ‘nuisance’ is interpreted to refer to anything that can potentially cause harm to people or animals using a highway.

Importantly, clause (5) of the Occupiers Liability Act states:

(5) Any duty owed by virtue of this section in respect of a risk may, in an appropriate case, be discharged by taking such steps as are reasonable in all the circumstances of the case to give warning of the danger concerned or to discourage persons from incurring the risk.

This clause tells us that by providing adequate warning of potential dangers an occupier is compliant with the act. Presenting prominently displayed warning signage clearly indicating the presence of anti climb precautions is therefore essential to comply with UK law.

Maximum Fence Height

People often want to increase the height of their boundary walls and fencing to enhance their perimeter security. But it must be noted that planning permission is required for any perimeter wall or fence that exceeds 2 metres in height and its important to note that this maximum height restriction includes any trellis or other form of fence or wall topping. So if an existing wall or fence is already 2 metres tall then its likely planning permission would be required to increase it.

Also, if a boundary wall or fence runs along a public highway, including footpaths, then this height restriction drops to just 1 metre. Anything higher than this requires planning permission. Similarly, if a property opens onto a public highway or pathway it is likely that restrictions regarding the erection of fences, walls and growing hedges exist. Its also worth noting that its never acceptable for anything to protrude onto a public highway or footpath.  Its recommended to check with local authorities before going ahead with any work to be certain of requirements.

If a building is listed or is located in a conservation area then planning permission would be required for any proposed boundary changes.

Non-Aggressive Anti Climb Barriers

When considering and planning improvements to existing perimeter security its worth remembering that anti climb spikes are not the only option and may not be the most appropriate choice for many environments.

Anti climb paint provides an alternative, non-aggressive security solution that’s often used in conjunction with other anti climb devices. Sometimes called anti burglar paint, this non-setting paint remains slippery after application as it doesn’t set like normal paint. The slipperiness makes it impossible for an intruder to gain a foothold or handhold so this form of barrier works well on walls, poles and posts.

Like many other forms of anti-intruder barrier, anti climb paint must be used considerately. Its generally recommended that the paint isn’t applied to surfaces below 2 metres in height to minimise the chances of getting the paint onto the clothes of passers by. Also, like other anti climb precautions, appropriate warning signage should be prominently displayed.

Another alternative to spikes is our totally non-aggressive Roller Barrier anti climb solution. As noted, spiked anti climb devices are generally not appropriate around many environments such as schools, youth centres, psychiatric hospitals and public buildings. Also, there is often a need to prevent people from climbing onto equipment housings, flat rooftops or scaling protective fencing alongside railway tracks. Roller Barrier is now extensively deployed to provide effective anti climb protection and safety in all of these environments - and many more. But, although Roller Barrier is non-aggressive and harmless, people still need to be warned that an anti climb barrier is in place so warning signage is essential.

Natural Anti Climb Barriers

Another important option to keep in mind when devising perimeter security improvements is the use of intruder proof hedging. As noted, the Highways Act talks about ‘injurious toppings’ such as barbed wire or spikes but it doesn’t refer to the use of prickly shrubs.

Various hedging plants such as Hawthorn, Holly and Blackthorn, can act as excellent anti-intruder barriers while also providing some wonderful colour, texture and natural habitat in a garden. A consideration to keep in mind when using hedging is the hedge height and the possibility of causing a nuisance by restricting visibility or blocking light to a neighbour`s house or garden.

Appropriate Warning Signage

As noted in this post, anti climb spikes and other anti climb precautions can be used legally in the UK as long as appropriate warning signage is presented and the anti climb barrier will not cause a nuisance. The term `nuisance` refers to anything which might cause harm to people or animals so its always important to use anti climb precautions with consideration and common sense.

Various warning signs are available to alert people to the presence anti climb paint, spikes or other forms of anti climb barrier.

These signs are a low cost way to fully comply with the UK law regarding the use of anti climb devices and often act as powerful anti climb deterrents.

Want more information on Anti-Climbing Spikes? Feel free to contact us.

If you have any questions regarding perimeter security or anti climb solutions remember that we are here to help. Give us a call on and we’ll provide you with free, expert advice.

This message was added on Thursday 12th August

More blog items

Anticlimb Stegastrip and StegaRota Explained - 90 Second Insight

In our latest 90 Second Insight video we take a close look at versatile Stegastrip anti-climb spikes along with the StegaRota rotating anti-climb barrier system.

We regularly look at the subject of home and property security in our blog. Our posts and videos offer a variety of important, actionable recommendations which we know, from experience, are enormously beneficial.

As well as paying attention to the doors, windows, gates and locks that keep unwanted intruders outside, we always advocate the implementation of layered security. An important layer in this security strategy is the property perimeter. Walls, fences, hedges and gateways all need to be as secure as possible. Potential intruders not only need to be prevented from gaining entry, they also need to be deterred from even thinking about attempting to break in.

Do Anti Climb Spikes Work?

Once upon a time in the not too distant past, people would sometimes use broken glass, set into concrete, along the top of walls to deter and prevent unwanted intruders, including cats, from climbing into private property. But perimeter security measures like this, which can potentially cause significant harm, are not advisable. Property occupiers have a duty of care toward everyone who enters their property, whether they are welcome or not. So if a trespasser or intruder was to hurt themselves on an intentionally harmful anti climb barrier the property owner is likely to be liable.

But the reason people have used spikey, sharp anti climb barriers is because they work. They present a powerful visual deterrent because they look nasty and they are difficult to safely climb over. A potential intruder is prompted to seek alternative, safer, easier-to-enter premises when faced with a robust anti climb barrier.

What is Stegastrip?

Stegastrip is a highly effective, versatile anti-climb spike system that’s widely used to bolster perimeter security in both domestic and commercial settings. The spike strips, made from a robust, rigid, weatherproof plastic, are easy to install and immediately present a formidable anti climb barrier and deterrent.

An important attribute of Stegastrip anti climb spikes is their black visual appearance that looks like wrought iron. Although these rigid plastic spikes are non-lethal, they look very nasty and nobody would want to risk hurting themselves by attempting to climb over. The strips are slightly flexible, allowing them to be easily attached to curved fences, walls, gates or trellis.

What is StegaRota?

A unique design feature of Stegastrip is the ability to attach Stegastrips, back to back, to form StegaRota. Two 500mm Stegastrips are firmly joined together using a number of screws. Each rotating length of StegaRota is supported by specially mounted support posts.

The key differences between Stegastrip and StegaRota are that StegaRota adds instability to the anti-intruder armoury. Also, StegaRota adds more height to the protected boundary.

Unstable, rotating anti climb barriers are very difficult to negotiate so this additional protective attribute is another facet that keeps intruders at bay. But when installing anti climb barriers on top of walls and fences its important to remain within legally defined height constraints. For fences and walls that are not adjacent to a public highway there is a maximum overall height constraint of 2m (6 feet 6 inches) as described below.

Are Anti Climb Spikes Legal in the UK?

When considering the use of anti climb spikes its important to be aware of various regulations and legal statutes that apply. These include the Occupiers’ Liability Act, the Occupiers Liability Act and the Highways Act .

As mentioned previously regarding the historic use of broken glass set in concrete for perimeter security, occupiers liability refers to the duty of care that property occupiers have for anyone who enters their property, regardless of whether they are permitted to be there and even if they have criminal intentions. This is why the use of purposely harmful barriers, such as razor wire and jagged broken glass, is not permitted.

Section 164 of the Highways Act stipulates that barbed wire on land adjoining a public highway must not cause a nuisance or present a danger to humans or animals using that highway. And the boundary height Restrictions, according to the Town and Country Planning Act , state that the general height limit for boundary fences is just 1 metre, if the fence is next to a highway or footpath. Boundary fences or walls not next to a highway can be a maximum height of 2 metres (about 6 feet 6 inches). This maximum height includes any form of fence-topper such as trellis or an anti-climb barrier so this is an important consideration when planning the deployment of anti climb protection.

Before installing an anti climb barrier on top of a perimeter wall, fence or gateway its always worthwhile checking with local planning departments, to make certain the proposed installation is compliant.

Essential Warning Signage

In order for a property occupier to fulfil their duty of care toward anyone who might attempt to enter their property they must display clear warning signs indicating that that anti climb protection is in place. If such signs are not displayed and someone injures themselves or damages their clothes, due to the perimeter security precautions, then the occupier can be found to have been liable.

Prominent warning signs need to be clearly visible to anyone approaching a protected perimeter wall or fence. For longer, straight sections of wall or fence, warning signs located at around 3 metre intervals are recommended.

Is Stegastrip or StegaRota Right for You?

Here at Insight Security we know how difficult it can be to devise an effective physical perimeter security strategy for a particular property. There are a wide variety of security solutions on the market today, so how do you know which is the right one for you and your specific needs?

This is why we offer our entirely free advisory service wherein our experienced consultants take the time to listen to your needs and work with you to come up with a security solution that does what you need it to do.

If you have any questions about effective perimeter security, or if you have any special requirements, remember we are here to help. Give us a call on and we’ll provide you with free, expert advice.

This message was added on Thursday 15th August

The company is the world’s best Chain Link Fence supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.