ALMOST 100 extra alleygates are set to be fitted across Liverpool over the next 12 months.

The city's Lib Dem Council has approved plans to spend £650,000  on the city-wide initiative, comprising a total of 98 gates in 53 separate schemes. 

Lib Dems are also looking at securing alternative sources of funding for further schemes and is working with several Registered Social Landlords who have indicated they are willing to pay for alleygates in areas that they cover. 

Lib Dem Councillor Colin Eldridge, executive member for community safety, said: "Liverpool has led the way with its pioneering alleygating initiative. This scheme has helped prevent countless burglaries and incidents of anti-social behaviour.

"It is a great example of a simple idea that makes a massive difference to communities - making sure the elderly and vulnerable feel much more secure in their own homes and reducing incidents of fly tipping in alleyways.

"It is part of the Liberal Democrat  commitment to making Liverpool a safe place for all residents across all areas of the city.

"We are keen to find extra funding over and above what we are pledging to spend over the coming 12 months to meet the demand from residents. 

The 53 successful schemes have been prioritised based upon criteria linked to crime and disorder, and will be installed in areas where they are needed most.
 
The council has secured a reduction in the cost of gates - down from £3000 to £2250 each this year. Combined with a drop in the fee for the legal permissions needed to put up the gates, it means two additional schemes can be included when compared with last year's prices. 

The gates are manufactured by recovering drug users, providing  them with employment and  helping to reduce the chances of them 
re-offending.

Liverpool already has the largest and most successful alleygating programme in the country, comprising more than 5,600 gates across the city and benefiting more than 150,000 residents.

The wards that will benefit from the new gates are: County, Everton, Fazakerley, Kensington and Fairfield, Kirkdale, Old Swan, Princes Park, Riverside, Tuebrook and Stoneycroft, Warbreck, Wavertree and West Derby.