Thieves have stolen a flood barrier from outside a block of sheltered housing that was seriously flooded only a few months ago.

Martin Mumford at Knight House, from where the barriers were stolen

The barrier at Knights House, in Risinghurst, Oxford, was stolen the day after it was closed to protect elderly residents from flooding during this week's bad weather.

Knights House resident Ron Hyde noticed the gate was missing on Saturday and blamed young people in the area.

He said: "We're not at all surprised it has gone.

"The worst ones have moved, but there are still ones further up the road here."

The barrier was in place last Friday evening when Martin Mumford, responsible for Oxford City Council's empty homes, closed it as the bad weather began.

Mr Mumford said: "It's a nice bit of timber, but I can't understand why anyone would want to nick it. It is probably just kids mucking about.

"I don't think they realise the consequence of their actions, which is a lot of distress to the elderly residents here."

The eight-feet by three-feet barrier was installed in 2002 after homes were repeatedly flooded by rainwater from Shotover Hill.

But it proved ineffective in April this year when ground floor flats in Knight's House were inundated with water after a mains water pipe burst.

Oxford City Council were criticised because the floodgate had been padlocked in the open position to deter vandals.

Mr Mumford added: "We had a problem with kids messing about with the barrier so we decided we would get it padlocked, but then in the panic of the April flood no-one knew where the keys were."

City councillor for the ward, Dr Tia MacGregor, said residents would be worried about further flooding.

She said: "Some of them are really quite vulnerable.

"Whoever is responsible needs to get on with replacing it, especially with the weather we are having now."

Oxford City Council are investigating the cost of a new barrier, and Mr Mumford assured residents the newly refurbished flats would be safe.

He said: "We are ensuring the drains are clear and that the water will flow away quickly.

"That has so far been the case on both Friday, Tuesday and Wednesday night."

Mr Hyde agreed the rain water had been draining away, but added: "I don't know whether the drains will be able to cope with a prolonged downpour."

Residents are due to move back into their refurbished flats in August.