A question that’s often asked about anti climb wall and fence spikes is - do they work? Anti climb spikes have two primary functions: They need to both deter any would-be intruder and present a physical barrier to prevent intruders from gaining access to a property.
Who Are the Intruders?
Intruders may be criminals who want to access a property to commit crime, such as burglary. They may also be vandals who want to cause mischief and damage or they may be people who want to use facilities (such as swimming pools) while property owners are away. Government and military properties might be targeted by criminals or event terrorists with political intentions.
But its important to note that potential property intruders may also be animals such as family pets (cats and dogs) as well as wild animals such as foxes.
Visual Deterrence
Anti climb spikes present an immediate visual deterrent to any human intruder. But animals aren’t necessarily influenced by visual deterrents. They are more likely to climb the perimeter wall or fence and test the anti climb spikes before recognising them as a barrier they should avoid.
The visual deterrence provided by anti-climb spikes is an important factor which is known to be effective in discouraging criminals from targeting protected properties. Burglars report that when they assess property security they always avoid anywhere which has highly visible anti climb barriers in place. They know there are plenty of alternative properties where they can quickly and easily gain access to steal what they want without risk of injuring themselves or being caught in the act.
Physical Anti Climb Protection
If you take a look at any high security establishment such as a military defence properties and buildings you will see what are often extremely aggressive anti climb spikes along walls and fences. The military use these devices as defence against potential terrorist intruders who might want to steal vital equipment, arms, ammunition or data. The reason the military and security services use these devices is because they work.
Do Plastic Anti Climb Spikes Work?
The anti climb spikes seen around high security establishments are often the most aggressive types of metal spikes currently available. They tend to be installed way above head height and well away from where they might cause harm to passers by. The only people who should ever come into contact with these spikes are the people who installed them and anyone foolhardy enough to try and climb over them.
Plastic anti climb spikes provide a valuable alternative often used by homeowners. These vary from anti climb plastic spikes which mimic the appearance of highly aggressive metal spikes to anti climb spike strips often used on fencing to deter animals from entering gardens.
Plastic anti climb spikes are obviously nowhere near as aggressive as some of the high security metal spikes they imitate. But they do present a significant visual deterrent and importantly they also act as a difficult barrier for intruders to overcome.
Non-Aggressive is Often the Best Choice
For most domestic anti climb applications its important to consider the Occupiers Liability implications. While anti climb spikes are effective in both deterring and preventing unwelcome intruders there is the potential for injury. Roller Barrier is a totally non-aggressive yet highly effective anti climb barrier which is now widely used to prevent people from climbing where they aren’t allowed. Schools, youth establishments, hospitals, police forces and local authorities are all relying on Roller Barrier to provide safe anti climb protection without risk of causing injury.