Home UK Families told to remove community paddling pool so burglars dont drown

Families told to remove community paddling pool so burglars dont drown

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Neighbours have been ordered to remove a paddling pool in their communal garden as they were allegedly told burglars may drown in it.

Maria Young and her friends who live in the same block of flats clubbed together and bought the 12 foot pool and cover for £64 during the recent heatwave.

But officials reportedly told them it either must go, or have to be emptied every night.

Families told to remove community paddling pool so 'burglars don't drown'

Maria Young and her friends have been told to remove a paddling pool from their communal garden (Picture: KMG / SWNS.com)

The company MHS Homes, which manages the properties in Strood, Kent, said the paddling pool is not safe.

Mrs Young, 47, said: They said if someone breaks in they might drown in the pool.

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I dont understand. People in other places are allowed them in their community gardens.

A team of them came and said initially wed have to get rid of it. They then changed their mind and said we had to put it down each night for health and safety issues.

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The pool holds 15,000 gallons of water and takes three hours to refill.

Mrs Young, who says relaxing in the pool helps aid her spine disease, added: We sit out the back together and socialise. Its completely enclosed.

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They said we could take it down and empty it each night but theres a water shortage on the way. Its a waste.

Its fun for the kids. Its better being out in the fresh air than stuck in doors.

Theres no way Im taking it down. Theyll have to carry me out laying in it.

Maria Young who has been told to remove a paddling pool from the back garden in Strood, Kent. See National story NNPOOL; Residents trying to beat the summer heatwave are boiling with rage after being told to remove their community paddling pool each night - in case a burglar DROWNS. Maria Young and her neighbours who live in the same block of flats clubbed together and bought the 12ft pool and cover for ?64 for their communal garden. But the landlord company has since told them to take it down altogether or empty it out each night for 'health and safety' reasons - despite it having nothing to do with the Health and Safety Executive. Bosses at mhs Homes, which manages the block of six flats, told residents at the building in Strood, Kent, they were worried children from the surrounding area and potential burglars wandering onto the site at night could trip and fall in the water.

Mrs Young and her neighbours clubbed together and bought the 12ft pool and cover for £64 (Picture: KMG / SWNS.com)

The problem arouse when a security gate to the shared garden broke, which meant people from outside could easily get inside the back area of the flats.

Colette McKenney, housing manager of MHS Homes, said the firm had to be sure that everyone who has access to that land is safe.

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She said: While its really lovely to see people coming together as a community, we have to be sure that everyone who has access to that land is safe.

This summer were having extreme weather and its very hot. But the pool is on land owned by us and were responsible for everyones safety.

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Were telling residents that the pool needs to be taken down and well be speaking to them about how they can safely enjoy a paddling pool in a communal area.

Pools in private gardens and small childrens paddling pools in communal gardens are fine so long as children are always accompanied and its emptied when not being used.

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We dont want to spoil anyones fun, which is why were going to talk to our residents about trying to make this safe.

Weve been on site to address the concerns about the gates. All gates leading onto the street are locked and secure.

The locks for the gates which sit between the communal areas will be replaced.

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