Businesses in an industrial estate blighted by burglaries came together to erect a fence which cost £4,000 – but now the council has told them it must be torn down.

The steel structure complete with spikes on top was put up in March after a three-month spate of burglaries left companies in Wood Street thousands of pounds out of pocket.

But because planning permission had not been granted, Waltham Forest Council has ordered it be removed, giving businesses 21 days to do so.

Brenda Soane, finance officer at Thames Roofing, said she is certain burglars will return if the council gets its way and the seven foot fence is destroyed.

Mrs Soane, who has worked for the roofing provider for the past 30 years, believes the council should be supporting the efforts of the neighbouring businesses who employ a total of 65 people.

“It is absolutely terrible,” she said.

“All the businesses have been targeted but from our end, four burglaries between Christmas and March cost us in the region of £2,500. They stole rolls of roofing felt, tiles and tools.

“Burglars were coming in from the side of the housing estate, jumping over the fence.

“The police cannot do anything when we give them CCTV footage because the burglars cover their faces.

“We could go out of business if the burglaries keep happening.”

The fence is by far more effective than the lower one which was already in place and not a single burglary has been carried out since it was built.

After the council said it would have to be removed, Thames Roofing submitted a retrospective planning application, but this was rejected.

This has left employees feeling uncertain and uneasy about their futures.

“We gave the application to the council and they came bank and said it’s not good enough,” she added.

“I really do feel very passionate about it. We are trying to protect everybody’s livelihoods and support each other but the council is not supporting us.

“All of us work hard trying to earn a living and we are trying to make the burglaries stop. Why are the council making it difficult for us?”

Councillor Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: “The height of this steel fence exceeds what was there previously, and it requires planning permission.

“Although an application has been submitted the council is awaiting outstanding details from the applicants.“Only when this information is submitted and the application validated can it be determined, taking into account its individual merits and all relevant material considerations."