Rank: Forum user 
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Can anyone help with general rules for using razor wire height, signage distances etc.
I know some councils have their own take on things.
Had no luck with google unless I wanted to buy some which isn't the problem.
Thanks in advance,
rob
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Rank: Super forum user 
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2.4 metres is the usual height quoted. Nasty, nasty stuff razor wire. There are other deterrents out there.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Somewhere at the back of my head razor wire is seen as an 'offensive' wire whereas standard barbed wire is seen as a 'defensive' wire -from a court case but I cannot remember its parameters - this means that we always advise barbed and not razor wire
Can somebody remember the case re razor wire?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Alternatively, plant Pyracantha.
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Rank: Forum user 
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As far as I am aware Razor Wire is illegal (see offensive as opposed to defensive) although the MOD use it quite widely.
The point of a defensive deterent is to put someone off before someone tries. Razor wire is offensive as it assumes someone is going to try and therefore will prevent rather than deter...
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Rank: Super forum user
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From a quick look at the Internet it seems that the situation is as follows:
1. Razor wire or barbed wire is not as such illegal
2. But under Occupiers liability acts (1957 and 1984) if someone is injured as a resulted of climbing over the wire then the occupier can be sued
3. But if they place a clear warning near the wire then this can be taken discharging their duty especially if the wire is high up and the intruder would need to make an effort to get to it 2.4 m is a good rule of thumb
4. In addition under the Justice Act 2003, if a trespasser suffers an injury during the course of a crime, for which he is subsequently convicted and for which he could be sent to prison, he will only be able to sue the occupier if he gets the court’s permission to do so.
5. If the razor wire is adjacent to a public highway or footpath and it is a nuisance to passers by then the council can order its removal under Section 164 of the Highways Act..
Finally police forces don’t like it and their crime prevention officers as a matter of policy (not law) discourage its use
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Rank: Forum user
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Doubt it is illegal if it can be purchased on the open market. My experience is that councils and police officers would either request it is not used or indeed that it is removed unless you can demonstrate that reasonable measures have been taken to prevent anyone injuring themself (including trespassers!). There is reference to the height previously mentioned but also there is the question of displaying suitable and sufficient signs to warn people of the razor wire.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Children do not read signs! So if R-wire is in place its foreseeable that children are more likely to get badly hurt than if B-wire is in place
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Rank: Forum user
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You could apply that same reasoning for the display of all safety signs! Razor wire/barbed wire - get caught up on either and you're still likely to suffer some serious injuries.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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No, I really don't think that it is illegal, although not something that I am particularly comfortable with though. I do take the point that if it is at a height that would take some effort to reach, then this might be some mitigation or defence in the event of being sued.
I always have a little smile to myself when I am in Newmarket. There is a garage there that has a high wall that has pieces of broken glass embedded in the top of it! Ouch!
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Rank: Forum user
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Phil,
Broken bottles, etc, embedded in mortar on the top of walls was the norm when I was a kid. Didn't stop me going over top to scrump the fruit, though.
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Rank: Forum user
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Murray18822 wrote:Doubt it is illegal if it can be purchased on the open market.
Never a good rule of thumb. There have been plenty of examples over the years of items which are perfectly legal to buy and sell but not to use. I remember that radar speed trap detectors fell into that category until relatively recently.
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