Reducing not only crimes but also the fear of crimes

MORE than 500 homes in Leicester have been made safer from intrusion by thieves under a programme to install alley gates in 'hot spot' areas subject to high domestic burglary rates.

In partnership with the police, Leicester City Council has since April this year installed 49 wooden gates securing 136 properties, and 58 metal gates securing 419 properties.

The aim is to prevent access from the front to the rear of properties.

The £60,000 project - set to continue until March next year - has been operating in the Highfields, New Parks and Saffron areas with £40,000 allocated by the city council cabinet, and £10,000 each from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Building Safer Communities Fund.

Referrals for the work are accepted only where the need has been identified by local policing units and ward councillors. In certain cases, access from the rear of dwellings can be prevented by the installation of fencing and trellis work.

Cllr Mark Farmer, city council cabinet lead for crime and disorder, said: "This project shows what can be done to make people safer, reducing not only crimes but also the fear of crimes."