Alley gates 'help lower crime'

29/10/2008

Denbighshire is set to erect more alley gates in the county after trials helped to reduce incidences of crime by more than 2,700 since 2003.

According to councillor Sharon Frobisher, the gates help to cut off getaway routes for criminals taking part in many types of illegal activity such as burglary, car crime and robbery.

She told News Wales that the alleyways had become known as "rat runs" and served as arteries for criminal activity.

"We have come up with these proposals after a number of councillors and residents asked for extra crime prevention measures in their communities," she said.

More than 30 alley gates have already been installed in the Rhyl area, helping Denbighshire to become one of the best performing community safety partnerships.

Elsewhere, Rochdale Online has reported that alley gates have been erected in Syke following an attack on an elderly woman in the area.

Inspector James Troisi, of the Rochdale North neighbourhood policing team, described the installation of gates as an effective way to imbue a sense of safety within the community.