Published: Thursday, 29th July, 2010 9:30am

Bollard theft safety risk

by Maxwell Kusi Obodum

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PARENTS say children's lives were put at risk after traffic bollards were stolen from a housing estate just days before the summer holidays.

Nine stainless steel posts vanished from the West Village on Monday last week meaning traffic was able to drive through previously sealed off entrances in Battle Place, Audley Street and Curzon Street.

Construction company David Wilson Homes Southern taped off the entrances when The Chronicle brought the thefts to their attention last Thursday, pending the arrival of permanent replacements.

Mother-of-seven Lesley Lane, 42, of Audley Street, said: "I can't believe it. The summer holidays have started and now I'm really worried about letting the kids play out in the street." She added "I had to grab my grandson the other day because a car came shooting down here."

Lucy Ayim, of Battle Place, said: "It seems some people take pleasure in vandalising things but they are not thinking of the consequences. This is an enclosed street and children play here."

Joe Akem Che, of Spark Education, in Oxford Road, said: "It's potentially very dangerous."

Most bollards in the 550-home estate are cemented in place, but the stolen ones were padlocked to the ground so they could be removed if emergency services needed access.

Construction director, David McClintock, said the posts were "illegally removed" and added: "We have taped off the access points to act as a visual deterrent until the temporary replacements arrive.

"Permanent bollards have been ordered and we aim to have them in place as soon as possible."