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Alley gates help to reduce anti-social behaviour in Belgrave

Posted on 14/07/2009

police,constabulary,leicestershire police Alley gates help to reduce anti-social behaviour in Belgrave PCSO Modi hands over the keys to the alley gate to Mr Burrows

PCSO Modi hands over the keys to the alley gate to Mr Burrows

Residents in part of Belgrave are thanking the police and council for helping to reduce anti-social behaviour near to their homes.

An alleyway at the rear of flats in Garfield Street has been a problem area for drug taking and dealing, litter, underage drinking and other anti-social behaviour.

Thanks to funding from the Safer Leicester Partnership, the police and council have now been able to fit an alley gate to prevent access to people who aren’t residents.

Fatema Burani, ASB Investigator for the Leicester Anti Social Behaviour Unit (LASBU) said: “Young people have been using the alleyway to take and deal drugs, drink and smoke. They have been urinating in the alleyway and leaving litter such as cans and bottles. A lot of families live in the flats and the alleyway is the main access to their homes from Garfield Street. Understandably they have felt very intimidated.

“We are delighted that the gates have now been fitted and hope they make a real difference to the lives of people living here.” 

70-year-old Ralph Burrows, who lives in one of the flats, said: “We used to get problems with people coming round at night, urinating and worse in the alleyway. There was drug dealing going on as well. You just couldn’t relax at night and at my age it isn’t safe to walk outside to find out what’s going on. 

“The gates do seem to be making a big difference. There are still a few problems when people forget to lock the gates behind them but on the whole it’s much better. We’re all just so glad that we’ve got the gates.” 

PCSO Vinod Modi is from the Belgrave neighbourhood policing team and has been working with residents to resolve the problems. He added: “Alley gates help to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime and increase feelings of safety. They prevent anyone who isn’t a resident from gaining access to the alleyway. Not only does this prevent anti-social behaviour but it also stops garden hopping and deters burglars. 

“I’m really pleased that the alley gates have resolved the problems being experienced by these residents. Hopefully we can get additional funding to pay for more alley gates in this area.” 

Leicestershire Constabulary and partner agencies are committed to reducing anti-social behaviour as part of the ‘Safer Summer’ campaign. Numerous initiatives are taking place over the summer months including test purchase operations to prevent underage drinking, clean up days, enforcement operations to target drug dealers and sports activities for young people.