Excellence Wales Award for Alleygates

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has earned an Excellence Wales Award for its part in rolling out a highly successful crime prevention scheme.

 

The commendation in the 'Our Council - Collaboration in the Public Services' category is for the Alleygates initiative through which more than 3,400 back lanes across Barry have been 'sealed off' by special security gates.

 

The project, which has been delivered by the council in partnership with the police and fire services, reduces the opportunity for burglaries and other forms of crime and disorder. Only adjacent residents and authorised bodies are given unique keys.

 

Award for Alleygates In areas which have benefited from the scheme, crime levels have fallen by up to 74 per cent. Requests have been received from other areas for similar schemes.

 

Projects have been funded by a combination of monies from the European Union Objective 2 programme, Welsh Assembly Government, Vale council, police, Newydd Housing Association and Safer Vale Partnership.

 

Operational manager (highway maintenance) Keith Jones paid tribute to the council's strong partnerships with the police and fire service. “This is an excellent example of the public sector working together for the benefit of the residents of the Vale. I am absolutely delighted with the award."

 

Assembly Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Brian Gibbons, who presented the award, said: "I am pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate the excellent practice of local authorities and the wider local government family in Wales."

 

 

Caption: Celebrating the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Excellence Wales Award with Welsh Assembly Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Brian Gibbons (right) are, from left: South Wales Police Chief Constable Barbara Wilding, Vale operational manager (highways maintenance) Keith Jones, and Alleygates co-ordinator Lynn Creese.

 

11/04/2008