POLICE officers are reminding residents not to attempt to move fencing around footpaths hit by flood alleviation work taking place in Abbey Meads, Haydon End and Taw Hill.

A number of local footpaths are closed and site workers have reported that on several occasions overnight, especially near the Manor Farm pub, the fencing has been opened and moved.

A police spokesman said: “We know people don’t want to take a longer route home in the dark, but the concern is that with the mud and equipment piled up in the closed areas someone could slip into the ditch, where the water is high and fast.”