Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Closing alleys to cut crime

Local authorities have been granted powers to seek the closure of alleyways in 52 areas, where the alleys facilitate burglary, robbery, drug dealing and arson. These alleyways no longer serve the purposes for which they were designed - in many cases decades ago.

Before they are able to close the alleys, local authorities must

• undertake a rigorous public consultation before closing or diverting a right of way

• provide evidence that a significant crime problem exists due to the alleyway, and

• demonstrate that other crime reduction measures have failed.

The new powers arise from long-standing criticism that the procedures for closing alleyways were complicated, poorly understood and overly bureaucratic. In February 2003, local authorities were issued with new guidance on how to apply to have the areas designated (closed). Local highway authorities will normally take the lead, working with CDRPs, police authorities, local residents and community groups.

The Secretary of State will undertake to review the closure not more than 3 years following its implementation. The powers have been carefully formulated to enable the closure of problem urban alleyways, but not to enable the removal of rights of ways in rural areas where there is no good reason to do so.

The areas applying for closure/diversion are as follows:

For further information on rights of way and extinguishment and diversion orders (introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) can be viewed on the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) website.

Last update: Wednesday, August 20, 2008