|
Alley Gates in Blackpool
History
The Blackpool Community Gating Project commenced in 2002.
A crime analysis conducted at that time highlighted that at least 21% of domestic burglaries had taken place as a result of offenders gaining access to property via back streets and alley ways.
There are approximately 1625 adopted back streets and alley ways and 575 un-adopted back streets and alley ways in the Blackpool Borough Unitary Authority area.
Research was carried out and visits were made to other areas where alley gates had been used to successfully tackle this type of crime. Funding was secured to install alley gates in the areas of Blackpool that were shown to have the highest rate of domestic burglary committed via the rear of the premises.
In August 2002 three alley ways were gated in Talbot Ward, Tyldesley Ward and Waterloo Ward.
This was followed by a further four alley ways in Claremont Ward in February 2003.
After a 12-month period, further analysis of crime statistics for the Claremont area revealed a reduction in domestic burglaries, within the gated areas, of 60%.
As a result of these exceptional reductions in crime, further funding was obtained for the project to be delivered across Blackpool, targeting the six most deprived wards.
In November 2003, a full time co-ordinator was appointed to take the project forward until 31 st March 2007.
The project very soon became a victim of it’s own success and in July 2004 an assistant co-ordinator was employed together with administrative support to assist with the numerous requests for alleygates.
Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
On 1st April 2006 the sections of the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, which relates to alley gates, came into force. This legislation amends The Highways Act 1980 with the insertion of sections 129a to 129F. This empowers the local authority to make a ‘gating order’ where it can be shown that persistent crime and anti-social behaviour is expressly facilitated by the use of certain rights of way.
The act sets out the general principles, asserting that a council must be satisfied, before making an order, that the area surrounding the relevant highway suffers from crime or anti social behaviour and gating would act as a useful crime / anti-social behaviour reduction method.
A typical alley gate
The Council Leader (right) and Residents
The One Hundredth gate
F.A.Q.
Why install Alleygates ?
It is a fact that gates reduce crime and anti-social behaviour associated with alley ways. They restrict entry only to the residents who live there, businesses and other persons with genuine legitimate access. Alley gates reduce instances of burglary, theft, anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, drug use and vandalism in an alley way.
Who will maintain the Alley gates ?
All alley gates are the property of Blackpool Council, who have the responsibility for their upkeep and maintenance. In January 2007 a full time maintenance worker was appointed.
Will the alley gate be fixed to my property ?
Alley gate posts are concreted into the ground, they are self-supporting and generally do not need fixing to any property. However owners of property may be asked to give permission for a temporary bracket to be attached to their property, in order to hold the gatepost upright whilst the concrete sets.
Are the alley gates self closing ?
Alley gates are heavy and will not close automatically. The gates are fitted with a hold back bar or drop bolt to enable them to be held in the open position if required. It is the users responsibility to utilise the hold back bar or bolt, remembering to close the gate after use.
Who will get a key ?
When installed, each set of alleygates are fitted with locks unique to that alley. All households or businesses within an alleygated block are entitled to a key for their gates, the cost is £6.00 per key (as at May 2006). It would be appreciated if you treated the key as you would your front/rear door key, as misuse or loss could impact on the security of the residents properties.
Will I be able to get additional keys for my family or friends?
Where there is a need, additional keys can be provided at the same cost. We do not support the issue of keys to people living outside of the alley gated block unless there is a real proven need – these cases will be dealt with on an individual basis.
How are keys initially issued?
Letters explaining the procedure for obtaining keys will be delivered to every household and business prior to the alley gates being fitted.
What is the procedure for obtaining a key if you have recently moved to an address that has previously been gated ?
The following options are available to obtain keys in the above circumstances:-
- By sending your name, address and a cheque or postal order for £6.00 per key, made payable to Blackpool Borough Council and sending it to:-
Blackpool Council
BSafe Blackpool
Seasiders Way
Blackpool
FY1 6JY |
On receipt of payment, the alleygate team will post the required key(s) to the address of the property within the gated area.
- Pay by credit or debit card by telephoning Blackpool Council Customer First centre on 01253 477477. Your details will be taken over the telephone and key(s) will be dispatched by post via the alleygate team.
- By personally attending the Blackpool Council Customer First centre at the Municipal Buildings, Corporation Street, Blackpool where your details will taken and you will be asked to provide suitable proof that you reside or own the premises stated. (This is a security measure, a recent utility bill will suffice.) Once payment has been made your key(s) will be dispatched by post via the alleygate team.
If you are the owner of premises that are in an alley gated area but your own home is elsewhere ie. You own flats or business premises, and you require alley gate key(s), you must obtain them as described at item 1 above, including some form of identity as outlined in item 3 above.
If the Alley gate needs repair?
If a resident discovers a gate is not working correctly they should report the matter to the alleygate team on 01253 651165. In most cases, repairs will be carried out within 24-48 hours. All repairs are treated seriously and we fully understand that residents will wish to maintain the safety of their gates. Most alleyways have more than one gate, please use another gate until repairs have been completed.
Will I have to pay for repairs?
Residents will not be required to pay for repairs. In the event of anyone causing criminal damage to the gates, we will of course seek compensation through the courts.
When the Alley gate is locked, how will the emergency services gain access?
All the emergency services have been issued with Alley gate keys to ensure that they have access to your alleyway.
What about the collection of refuse?
You will be expected to put your refuse outside the alleyway on the day of collection. It is your responsibility to do this and also to move your wheelie bin back to your property once it has been emptied. If you need assistance with your wheelie bin, you should contact the Council’s Customer First Centre on 01253 477477 and ask for an ‘assisted pick up’.
What about people fly-tipping in the area?
The alley gate will go a long way to prevent this sort of behaviour. We appreciate that some people will still fly-tip but our Environmental Protection Department will deal with it. Please contact the Council’s Customer First Centre on 01253 477477 to let them know of the problem.
If the Alley gate is broken, can I put my own lock on it?
This would be a serious breach of Health and Safety legislation, and is not permitted. It will also prevent other residents and the emergency services from being able to open the gates.
What should I do if someone asks to borrow my Alleygate key?
Please do not lend or give your key to anyone. The security of your alley way relies on all residents treating their gates and keys in the same manner as they would their own house keys. No authorised service provider should need to ask you for a key as they have already been supplied. Anyone carrying out work on behalf of a resident should access the alley using the employing residents key. Anyone asking to loan a key should be treated with suspicion and asked for identification.
What if people abuse the alleyway and continue to commit crime or anti-social behaviour ?
You should report any crimes to the Police on 01253 293933 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.
Incidents of anti-social behaviour to the Council’s Contact Centre on 01253 477477.
|
