ROWDY drunks and burglars may be gated out of alleyways at a cost of £10,000.

Community safety specialists at Cheshire West and Chester Council recommend alleyways behind Grace Road, Stanley Road, Livingstone Road and Grafton Road should be gated to reduce crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour.

Community portfolio holder Cllr Lynn Riley (Con, Weaver) has been told the restriction would affect 270 metres of alleys.

“This proposal has been brought forward as evidence suggests there exists a disproportionate amount of reported incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour in the area surrounding the proposed gating site,” said a report.

This is said to be aided by the alleys in question as they provide convenient concealed access and escape for offenders.

Cheshire Constabulary has disclosed that in the periods April to October in 2009 and 2010 there were more than 140 incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour within 100 metres of the area.

The vast majority of anti-social behaviour is said to relate to ‘rowdy, loutish, noisy, drunken behaviour’ along the Livingstone Road alleyway. Burglaries have also been reported.

An action plan was instigated in October last year with both the Ellesmere Port Neighbourhood Policing Team and community safety officers highlighting a positive effect in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.

Cllr Riley was told, however, that there continues to be a disproportionately high amount of crime and anti-social behaviour reported by nearby residents.

The proposed order would operate round the clock and keys would be provided to the occupiers involved.

Consultations on the gating order have been carried out with the community safety partnership, residents and local councillors.

Occupiers in almost 90 properties were consulted on a door-to-door basis by community safety wardens and of those who replied almost three-quarters were in favour.

Those who did not support the order said they were concerned about the appearance of the gates.

Recommending the order be advertised, community safety officers say careful consideration has been given to its effect on nearby occupiers and on members of the public making legitimate use of the route. As there is a reasonably convenient alternative, they believe the order should be confirmed.

The estimated cost of the order and of installing gates would be almost £10,000.

Cllr Riley has agreed the proposal should be advertised.