GATES which stop burglars from sneaking round the back of terraced houses are reducing crime figures.

According to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, which funds the alleygating scheme, the lockable gates in shared alleys or footpaths has also cut flytipping, vandalism and littering.

The community safety scheme is delivered with environmental charity Groundwork Pennine Lancashire and, after the successful installation of three pilot schemes, the programme is now fully operational.

There are now 12 fully implemented schemes in the borough, with the largest scheme having 12 individual gates protecting the rear alleys of about 100 businesses and residential properties in the Mill Hill area of Blackburn.

Andrew Skinner, alleygating co-ordinator at the council, said: “Residents have been hugely supportive of the scheme. People are actively requesting alleygates in their street and those that already have them have expressed how great it is not to live in fear anymore.”

Police figures show reported cases of crime and nuisance behaviour in one area have more than halved compared to the previous six months.

The project has been so successful that the budget has been doubled to £200,000 for the coming year.