Gateway to hell

Photo: Darren Robinson

UP in arms . . . Residents (from left) Joe Cook, Rose Cook, Walter Mills, Norman Crengle, Pauline Renshaw, June Stott, Matthew Hadfield and owner of Wing Wah Nhuan Tran want their alleygates put back Photo: DARREN ROBINSON

CRIME has soared after residents were forced to take down their alleygates in a row over a right of way.

People who live in Hathershaw Street, Oldham, say the removal of their gates has left them prey to rampaging youths and opportunistic thieves.

And those in Ashton Road claim crime and nuisance levels have soared after their alleygates were removed following a complaint by an official footpaths organisation claiming they blocked a public right-of-way.

Locals spoke out just days after thieves smashed their way into the Wing Wah chip shop and made off with a substantial sum of cash —just six weeks after the gates were taken down.

They have also reported gangs of nuisance youths, with one resident having graffiti daubed all over her fence.

And Wing Wah owner Nhuan Tran has warned that the problems could drive him out.

“This robbery has had a devastating impact on my business. We are struggling to pay the mortgage as it is. If it continues we will have to sell up,” he said.

“Since the gates were removed, I have seen people drive to the end of the alley, inspect the properties and drive away again. They have obviously been watching our every move. We were sitting ducks.”

Walter Mills (80), who lives on the street, said that feelings are running so high residents have organised a petition to get their gates put back up.

He said: “Before the alley gates were installed, we had all sorts of problems. The gates brought us a real sense of security.

“Now we have young people tearing up and down the back alley on off-road bikes and generally wreaking havoc. It’s very intimidating.

“I understand that it’s about public access, but I thought that public footpaths could be diverted in certain circumstances.”

Mike Farrell from Oldham Community Safety Unit said: “This alleygate on Ashton Road was fitted to tackle some serious anti-social behaviour involving off-road bikes. After the gate was fitted, it was found that it illegally blocked an official footpath and so had to be taken down.

“The Community Safety Unit is making every effort to locate funding for some fencing that will help to solve the problem.

“The gate was not designed to stop people accessing the alleyway behind the houses and businesses, but was to stop the specific type of anti-social behaviour that was happening there.”