They are intended to keep out the receivers (6)

I believe the answer is:

fences

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'receivers' is the definition.
(receivers of stolen goods)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for fences that I've seen before include "Receives" , "Good ones make good neighbours, it's said" , "Kind of barriers, or dealers in stolen goods" , "Hedges and barriers" , "Avoids directly answering" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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