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.” Bizarrely Southampton City Council has allowed barbed wire that was put up around the entrance to the allotments to remain, because it is “historic”.
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