Gating Orders

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Gating Orders

What is a Gating Order?

Gating is often referred to as “alley-gating”. It is proved to be a very effective way of reducing crime simply by preventing access to certain areas for anyone who does not have a key.

It involves fitting gates at either end of a road or footpath in areas that facilitate crime and/or anti-social behaviour.

Why have a Gating Policy and what does it allow the Council to do?

The Gating Policy and Procedure was adopted by the Council in March 2009 and lays out the criteria for making Gating Orders. The policy was drafted to enable the Council to use a new power, that came into force in April 2006, to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour by gating off highways.

When is a Gating Order appropriate?

A Gating Order can be made where premises adjoining or adjacent to a highway are affected by crime or anti-social behaviour.
The area facilitates the criminal offences or anti-social behaviour.
The criminal or anti-social behaviour needs to be persistent.
The power can be used for virtually all areas and notably includes both footpaths and roads. It will be easier to meet the criteria for a footpath than a road.
Once the gating order is in force the highway in question remains a highway.

What is the Council’s responsibility?

The Council are required to keep a register of all gating orders. In relation to how quickly the Council can request a Gating Order, they must first consider whether there is a reasonably alternative convenient route for the public.

The contact officer below can also provide further information.