Secure Design
An end to eye-sore alleys
Operation Gate-it is part of the Government's TOGETHER campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour. The scheme aims to close eyesore alleys and deliver physical environmental improvements to areas across England and Wales that are run-down, badly designed or poorly maintained and have become magnets for anti-social behaviour.
The scheme will run for 2 years (from March 2004 to March 2006) and provide £2.3 million of funding to local groups and projects that will help improve their neighbourhood.
Funds will also be used to pay for lighting, CCTV and landscaping to improve an area and increase security. The scheme will be delivered by Groundwork who will work with communities to carry out local projects.
The new scheme sets out to reduce littering, graffiti and abandoned cars, all of which have a huge impact on people's fear of crime and destroy community pride. Tackling low-level anti-social behaviour which has a real impact on people's quality of life is vital if residents are to support such schemes.
Schemes must consider important factors such as the amenity value of any route before seeking to close it, and consider other options for dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour. Yet particular alleyways become a magnet for criminals to gather, and make local people vulnerable, through intentional actions or subconsciously.
The funding for 2004-2005 has been split between 73 projects:
45 projects receiving £10,000 each
17 development grants, £10,000 each
11 flagship projects, £40,000 each
For further details on Operation Gate-It and for a list of the projects visit www.gate-it.org.uk.
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