Question about strawberries

I have just been taking a stroll around my allotment site and noticed that a lot of strawberry beds were just full of brown dead leaves.With my plot I tidy it up every few weeks by removing all the dead leaves and any weeds which are still growing as it makes it look tidy.What is the best way to treat a strawberry patch during the winter and what happens to these other patches which are full of dead leaves and growth.Is it best just to leave them to themselves

 

I usually trim the dead leaves in the spring, they'll soon put on new growth

 

They will give a little protection from cold to the crowns, and if you have rabbits provide some cover to the tasty new shoots.