NCJ Number
219815
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2007 Pages: 179-200
Date Published
July 2007
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the impact of alley-gating, crime prevention through environmental design initiatives at Cadoxton, Barry, and South Wales.
Abstract
In general, there appears to be widespread public, political, and local authority support for the implementation of the alley-gates within not only areas such as Cadoxton but in many other urban locations. While their immediate impact on the official statistics for burglary in Cadoxton is arguable, their implementation has clearly and positively influenced residents’ perceptions about levels of crime, antisocial behavior, and the character of the immediate area in which they live. In addition, the residents’ views on reducing some of their specific local concerns also seem to have been positively influenced by the alley-gate initiative. However, the implementation of alley-gates in Cadoxton appears to have concentrated on the defensive element of the concept while underestimating the role of surveillance and the impact on adjacent areas. Those responsible for the initiative also appear to have neglected the need to directly, intimately, and repeatedly involve the community. The success of any such initiative must actively involve all members and factions in the community. In general, alley-gating appears to offer immediate and relatively straightforward solutions to some crime and nuisance prevention initiatives in certain circumstances. A phenomenon termed alley-gating is gaining widespread popularity across urban Britain. The introduction of steel gates at the entrances to back alleys can now be found in many large cities. Alley-gates are described as a panacea for the evils of domestic, as well as non-domestic burglaries, a raft of antisocial behavior, and an important facet in regaining control of rarely used spaces. This paper is a commentary on the ongoing research being carried out at Cadoxton, Barry, and South Wales. It analyzes key findings 2 years into the project. The results serve to offer insights to inform planners, policymakers, police, and the wider community. Tables, figures, references