38 alley gates in Hartlepool to get beefed-up security features in clampdown on crime after plans approved

Proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department last year to install anti-climb attachments on top of 38 alley gates across the Burn Valley area.

The spiked anti-climb attachments will increase the height of the gates by 35cm in total to help prevent anyone being able to climb over them.

RELATED: The Hartlepool neighbourhood named worst for burglaries to get beefed-up security after surge in crime

Plans for the alley gate improvements, submitted by Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs, note work will also include a maintenance programme of the gates, with some having been subject to vandalism.

A report from council planning officer Stephanie Bell has confirmed the proposals have been approved, commenting they could help reduce crime in the area.

She said: “It is noted from the submitted supporting information that the provision of rotating spiked anti-climb attachments to the top of alley gates would potentially help deter incidences of crime and disorder.

“Particularly anti-social behaviour and acts of burglary and trespassing, which is a view supported by Cleveland Police.

“It is considered that the proposed development is acceptable in terms of visual amenity, neighbouring amenity, community safety, highway safety and all other planning matters.”

It comes after it was announced in 2020 Hartlepool’s Burn Valley, including Oxford Road and adjacent ‘ladder’ streets, would be one of three areas receiving funding for a major overhaul in crime prevention measures.

This would include improved alley gates, increased CCTV and street lighting, and came after Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner helped secure £1,034,696 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, which aims to prevent crime.

Planning documents note Burn Valley was selected for funding due to having the highest residential burglary rate of the entire Cleveland area, at 40.09, per 1,000 population.

Five responses from residents were received backing the plans, with one hailing them a ‘great idea’ and another noting they welcome ‘anything that will deter crime and anti-social behaviour’ in the area.

A design and access statement said: “Whilst acknowledged that alley-gates are fitted to most alleyways in the target area, overtime the lack of ownership and maintenance of the gates and supporting structures has led them to become ineffective.

“Hartlepool Borough Council will thus reinvigorate an alley-gate management and inspection programme, ensuring long term effectiveness and efficiency.

“An assessment of the area also highlighted how some of the alley gates do not have sufficient anti-climb devices fitted to the tops of them. Also some gates had been vandalised and meshing cut or damaged.

“Addressing this issue by fitting adequate anti-climb devices to the necessary areas also forms a part of our bid, along with carrying out repairs to the existing work.”

The project has been split into two schemes defined by recorded levels of crime, with this being scheme 1, and a second scheme will follow shortly.

Both pedestrian and vehicular access through the gates will not be affected in any way due to the anti-climbing attachments being installed, council officers noted.

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