'Alleygates' tackle estate crime

Escape routes used by criminals in parts of Carlisle are being sealed off in a project to reduce anti-social behaviour in the city.

Gates are being installed across a number of alleyways in areas which have been plagued by vandalism and graffiti.

Bassenthwaite and Crummock Streets in the Castle Ward area are being targeted in the move, funded by the Carlisle and Eden Crime Reduction Partnership.

Up to 70 areas of the city are earmarked to have gates installed.

Police figures show that theft accounts for 41% of recorded crime in the area with crimes against person accounting for a further 23%. Over the past 12 months there were more than 2,520 calls to the police to report rowdy and noisy behaviour.

'Hotspot areas'

Judy Prest, portfolio holder for sustainable communities with Carlisle City Council, said: "Carlisle residents deserve to live in peace and quiet.

"We have worked with the local community to identify locations where alleygate installation will make a difference to the quality of people's lives."

Mary Robinson chair of Carlisle and Eden CRP, said: "Anti-social behaviour needs to be dealt with. Closing back alleys in hotspot areas is a step in the right direction." Ch Supt Andy Davidson said: "This is a significant step towards making this area a safer place to live.

"We recognise that anti-social behaviour affects people's quality of life and this approach enables us to speak to the residents face to face and identify what their real concerns are, allowing us to deal with those issues at the earliest opportunity."

The iron gates are fitted with key coded locks and can be operated by residents and business in the area as well as the emergency services.