Laws and stuff RE: putting up anti-vandal paint/spikes

Maccy · 10 Oct 2007 at 17:45

Strange query I know, but we have some 8 foot gates at the side of our house. They're not level with the drive as there's a step down so can easily by climbed (I manage it easily without a run up).

Was wondering what the laws are with regards to putting anti-vandal paint on the top or even small raised spikes?

I was under the impression that only a warning sign need to be visible.

ALLI · 10 Oct 2007 at 17:50

I think they have to visible, or you have to put clear signs up to say the spikes / paint exist.

Unfortunately, criminals like to cry when they get hurt breaking into your property and tend to say things like "there were no warning signs about the spikes which is why i hurt myself".

Matteh · 10 Oct 2007 at 17:51

I beleive spikes are a no no, but with a warning anti-climb paint should be fine.

alexakasloth · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:01

Just wondering, if you put up barbed wire and it's completely visible, surely they can't sue saying they didn't know?

XPE · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:11

They can sue for spikes.

What does anti-climb paint do to stop people??

alexakasloth · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:13

XPE said:
They can sue for spikes.

What does anti-climb paint do to stop people??

Stays slippery somehow.

kitfit1 · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:16

XPE said:
They can sue for spikes.

So does that mean, the next time i climb over a fence at a government establishment that has spikes on it, i can sue them ?

"andy" · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:18

if theres no warning signs yeah

(steal and hide them)

waxapple · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:20

ALLI said:
I think they have to visible, or you have to put clear signs up to say the spikes / paint exist.

Unfortunately, criminals like to cry when they get hurt breaking into your property and tend to say things like "there were no warning signs about the spikes which is why i hurt myself".

Where as law abiding citizens don't cry when they get hurt - they just laugh and shrug it off.

In South Africa you can attach flame-throwers to your cars. Only the criminals burn.

schnipps · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:31

XPE said:
They can sue for spikes.

What does anti-climb paint do to stop people??

Ever try climbing on the school roof when u were little

Its basically thick black paint that stains to hell, clothes utterly runied and it wont come of your hands for days, awful stuff.

PhillyDee · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:33

Basically just black Grease. Probably a byproduct of oil manufacture.

Maccy · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:34

So there needs to be a warning sign, but don't have to get permission etc to do it?

Abraham · 10 Oct 2007 at 18:42

no, you just need to make it sufficiently obvious that they cant say they didnt know

Matthew-1985 · 10 Oct 2007 at 19:05

We have gates with spikes on them at school and I've been putting anti climb paint on them all. It's not nice stuff to work with and won't come out of clothes.

We don't have any signs though.

Trojan · 10 Oct 2007 at 19:56

I really can't understand how someone blatantly breaking into your property can sue if they get injured, it just makes no sense whatsoever. I do agree with having to have warning signs up though, just in case you get kids fooling about and trying to climb the wall/fence/whatever.

furnace · 10 Oct 2007 at 19:58

waxapple said:
In South Africa you can attach flame-throwers to your cars. Only the criminals burn.

Heh funny you say that, I was driving home this morning and was wondering what country it is that had those! (I remembered seeing it on TV)

Glaucus · 10 Oct 2007 at 19:58

Trojan said:
I really can't understand how someone blatantly breaking into your property can sue if they get injured, it just makes no sense whatsoever. I do agree with having to have warning signs up though, just in case you get kids fooling about and trying to climb the wall/fence/whatever.

Human rights act, I don't agree. Kids climbing still shouldn't ahppen.

Spikes/paint etc etc need signs up. It's stupid. Lets all thank mr Blair.

Trojan · 10 Oct 2007 at 20:01

AcidHell2 said:
Kids climbing still shouldn't ahppen.

Maybe not, but kids are kids and get up to pretty harmless things that they shouldn't from time to time. I know I certainly did, and I'm sure you did too. With that in mind do you honestly think it's fair to punish a child with serious injury because they were getting up to a bit of mischief?

Glaucus · 10 Oct 2007 at 20:03

Trojan said:
Maybe not, but kids are kids and get up to pretty harmless things that they shouldn't from time to time. I know I certainly did, and I'm sure you did too. With that in mind do you honestly think it's fair to punish a child with serious injury because they were getting up to a bit of mischief?

Got stung by lots of barbed wire when I was a kid. kids don't need to be wrapped up. It teaches them spikes hurt. It's hardly serious injuries.

Trojan · 10 Oct 2007 at 20:06

I suppose it depends on the spikes used. Barbed wire isn't really all that bad, it'll make a nasty cut but that's about it really. I can see why a sign shouldn't be necessary for that. I was more thinking big spikes out of view that signs are a good idea for.