Gated alleyways cut ASB offending

Anti-social behaviour has fallen by more than 30 percent in 8 hotspot areas in Ashfield thanks to alleyways being gated off by Ashfield District Council.

Whether to keep the gates in place, or remove them, will be up for discussion at next week’s Cabinet meeting at the Council. 8 alleyways were gated off in 2023 under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which is due to expire in 2026, unless a 3-year extension is approved at Cabinet.

Figures show that since being gated, anti-social behaviour has fallen by 34 percent around those areas. An overwhelming majority of 395 residents are currently in favour of keeping the alleyways gated. Since being installed residents have commented that they feel safer in those areas and have noticed less fly-tipping.

The gates are located:

Between Bentinck Street and Bramley Court, Sutton
Between Downing Street and North Street, Sutton
Between Welbeck Street and Portland Close, Sutton
Between Bramley Court and Sutton Lawn, Sutton
Rear of 34 to 37 Rockwood Walk, Hucknall
Between Spruce Grove and Beacon Drive, Kirkby
Adjacent 40 Rosewood Drive, Kirkby
Between Spruce Grove and Poplar Avenue, Kirkby

The gating order is just part of the wider tools that the Council have implemented to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve feelings of safety across the District. Over the past few years innovative Safe Point cameras have been installed in all three town centres that allow users to speak directly to the police control room, and ultra high definition CCTV cameras have been mounted across Ashfield under the Safer Streets scheme. Businesses throughout town centres signed up to become Safe Spaces, meaning they were kitted out with CCTV cameras, lights and training to offer sanctuary for anyone who needs it.

Cllr John Wilmott, Executive Lead Member for Community Safety said:

“Gating off the alleyways has had a huge positive impact on the lives of the residents who live near these former anti-social behaviour hotspots. We are certain that removing them would be extremely detrimental and would see a return of the behaviours that blighted these communities.

“By extending the PSPO we are showing our commitment to stamping out anti-social and nuisance behaviour. One of our top priorities is tackling these unwanted behaviours in Ashfield to ensure that residents and visitors feel safe here”.

If Cabinet approves the extension, the Council will launch a formal public consultation in November – December seeking residents’ views on the PSPO. The results of this will then be fed back to Cabinet and Full Council for the final decision in the new year.

Posted on 20 November 2025