Gates cut crime in Bristol alleyway

Householders held a party to celebrate the installation of gates that are now protecting an alleyway in Southville from criminals and fly-tippers.

Residents of both Merrywood Road and the lane running behind the street had become fed up with the level of crime and anti-social behaviour they experienced over about a three-month period last year.

So they decided to do something about it and raised the £2,000 to pay for the security gates that now keep out those people who shouldn't be there.

Rebecca Lloyd, 61, a writer and creative writing teacher, was among householders who started the project a year ago by contacting the Safer Bristol organisation and getting fundraising going.

She said: "It's a blind alley but there are a number of properties there and it's behind homes in Merrywood Road. For those three months things were very difficult, with burglaries, attempted break-ins, men drinking and fly-tipping.

"It's quite a secluded lane and on one occasion we even carried out a citizen's arrest of a young man.

"It took a lot of determination and effort, as well as raising the money, to get the gates made and installed but it's made a big difference.

"Although they had been in place for a while, it's only now that we've been able to celebrate with a little party."

Rebecca and her neighbours were helped by Kate O'Connor and Emily Smith, community safety workers with the Safer Bristol project, and she has also used her writing skills to keep an account of the project.

That has now been given to Safer Bristol to help other householders who are interested in carrying out a similar scheme.

Rebecca said: "Safer Bristol has its own leaflet but I hope my account will inspire people to do something and to help them achieve what we have done here."

More than 100 gates have been fitted to alleyways across Bristol since the scheme was started in the city about six years ago.

Residents can club together to buy and fit the gates but grants are also available from the Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust.

Wherever they have been fitted, crime has gone down.

All the gates have keys or keypads which cannot be copied without the permission or knowledge of the residents, meaning only local people with direct access to the area from their property can open them.

There are also other benefits, as they create a safe area where children can play, improve community spirit and result in fewer problems of fouling by stray dogs.