Stoke-on-Trent gets estate gates to boost security

20/07/2009

Estate gates are to be introduced at the end of alleyways to make a neighbourhood in Stoke-on-Trent more secure, following a recent spate of burglaries.

The city's council has decided to put estate gates behind homes on Boughey Road, Carlton Road, Thornton Road and Watford Street in Shelton at a total cost of £10,000, the Sentinel reported.

Authorities hope the new gates will reduce the high number of burglaries in the area, which are in part due to the number of student properties, as these are often left empty.

Councillor Terry Follows, cabinet member for community safety, cohesion and communications, told the newspaper that the estate gates will be introduced following successful trials elsewhere.

"We are hoping there will be a big benefit to residents and, providing there are no objections, the gates should be in place by September."

It follows the announcement yesterday that Leicestershire police have raised funding for alley gates in the Belgrave area of the city.