Toddler’s bike impounded by housing bosses in 'fire hazard' raid

Housing bosses have impounded a toddler’s bike from outside his home because they claimed it was a fire hazard. Two-year-old Christopher Rawson was left in tears after his beloved balancing bike was taken away. Now single mother-of-three, Rebekah faces a £50 fee to get the bike back for her son. Housing association First Wessex says it has a “zero tolerance” policy when it came to obstacles that may prevent residents escaping in the event of a fire.

The company says the family had been warned that the bike was a “potential hazard” and not to store it in the communal area. Rebekah, who lives with her son in Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire, said: “This is my home it’s like they have just come into my house and taken it.” Rebekah, 27, initially received a letter on Saturday asking her to move the £40 toy from the foyer of her apartment block. “When I saw the letter I thought it was ridiculous, I just ignored it,” she said. “It’s a tiny little balance bike. It’s not blocking anything.”



She added: “No one else has to go past it, there are two doors to get out of the flats and the foyer is huge.” Rebekah noticed the bicycle had been taken three days later. “No one knocked [on my door] they just took it,” she said. “They had left no letter to say it had been taken.” She eventually discovered the machine was in storage. Carol Williams, operations director at First Wessex, said all of their residents are warned not to leave personal items in communal areas and that regular inspections take place to ensure those areas are clear.

She added: “During an inspection of the block on Westward Road on August 8 a child’s bike was issued with an immediate removal tort notice as it was being stored in a communal area and was a potential hazard. This was followed by a letter sent first class on August 16 which advised the resident of a date when the item would be removed. When First Wessex Property Services visited the block on August 21 the bike was still stored in a communal area, and was therefore removed and placed into storage to ensure the safety of all residents living within the block.”