RESIDENTS fear that metal spikes on a fence to discourage youths could cause serious injury.

The spikes had been placed on the wall around Blackrod library and health centre after residents asked the town council for better security.

But other villagers fear a serious accident could happen because the spikes are so sharp.

Residents in Blackhorse Close had repeatedly asked for help after years of having to put up with teenagers hanging about near their homes and sitting on the fence, wall and car park.

Bolton Council, which owns the library, worked with Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, owners of the health centre, and recently installed a strip of metal spikes.

But some residents believe the spikes could cause a serious injury to someone.

A 60-year-old woman, who did not want to be named but has lived in Blackrod for 35 years, said: "The kids have been meeting here for years, but it's not such a big problem and if they don't meet here they'll only hang about somewhere else.

"The spikes make the place look like Colditz and I think someone could be badly injured if they stand on one of the spikes by accident.

"If someone is coming home late at night and it's dark they could really hurt themselves. I'm sure they could have found some sort of other deterrent which isn't as dangerous."

Blackrod town council clerk Christine Pearson said: "Perhaps we can't win on this issue. The spikes are not on the floor, or in a dangerous spot, and were passed by health and safety officers."

Purpose

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We do not call the devices spikes, we call them 'deterrents', and they are designed to stop kids sitting on a fence or wall.

"The deterrent is pretty new, but obviously we would not put up anything which was dangerous.

"The purpose of the deterrent is two-fold. It not only protects the wall and fence, but protects the kids from hurting themselves by sitting on the fence and falling off."