Alley-gating decision will help in fight against anti-social behaviour if we have the funds, says Gavin Cox

10.57.15am GMT Thu 8th Feb 2007

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Tremorfa and Regional Assembly candidate, Gavin Cox, has welcomed yesterday's decision by the Welsh Assembly to give Councils more power to deal with anti-social behaviour by installing gates to block alleyways.

Trials by South Wales Police have shown significant reductions in crime when alley gates have been installed and Cllr. Cox is keen to see the scheme extended further to take in communities such as Tremorfa. Tremorfa has experienced problems of anti social behaviour connected to alleyways, known locally as 'gullys', and recently saw the sad death of Tremorfa resident Paul Barnes.

"Credit where credit's due, I welcome this initiative," said Gavin Cox. "Complaints about anti-social behaviour form a large part of the correspondence I receive. Often constituents are concerned at large gatherings of youths in secluded areas such as alleyways near their home and this has been the subject of much discussion at local PACT meetings. The fact that Cardiff Council now has the power to gate off these areas will be very helpful."

"However this will only be a success if resources are made available to local Councils to carry out work where it is required. Where this scheme has been trialled we have seen reductions in crime levels and a consequent saving in Police time and money.

"Both Westminster and the Assembly Government are quick to devolve power to local authorities without offering the necessary funding to help Councils achieve their goals. It has been a central plant of Labour's policy to pass the financial burden for many functions on to local authorities, whilst at the same time threatening to cap Councils who raise Council Tax in order to carry out this increased responsibility.

"As such a big issue has been made of alleygating I'm sure the Labour Assembly Government will ensure Cardiff Council have sufficient funding to do the job, otherwise we face the danger of being in a situation of having a green light to carry out work, yet we'll still be waiting on the Assembly for the tools to do the job."