We have powers under The Highways Act that allows the gating of the highway.

Alley gating is a very simple crime prevention measure. It involves erecting steel, self locking gates to the ends of alleyways and passages that are the responsibility of the home owners who live around them. There are a number of other advantages in addition to reducing the levels of burglaries, including:

• Reducing opportunities for people to cause annoyance – this could mean anything from drinking in alleys to taking drugs;
• Fewer problems of dog fouling by stray dogs;
• Safe play areas for children;
• Improving community spirit, giving a sense of ownership of the alleys.

We are still deciding how best to use these powers as the guidance given for implementation requires a number of criteria to be met with regard to causes of crime.