Requirement

After a successful bid by the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), and close consulation with local residents, a range of security measures were proposed for the Victoria Ward area of Wellingborough. This included improved local CCTV coverage, free home security improvements for selected properties, such as better door and window locks, lighting, alarms, CCTV, alley gates, neighbourhood alert messages, and crime prevention literature for all residents.

Alley gates were proposed to block access to concealed areas where crimes can be committed, and prevent unauthorised access to homes. Alleyways were also identified as prime spots for fly-tipping, with almost 20 tonnes of rubbish removed from the alleys alongside the installation of the gates.

Solution

In what was one of Jackson's largest projects to date, 74 of its Barbican® alley gates were installed in the Victoria ward of Wellingborough to help reduce crime and make the area safer for residents.

25 of the alley gates are public and maintained by the council, while 49 are private with keys given to residents.

The Borough Council of Wellingborough was also awarded £50,000 to maintain 25 of the public alley gates for the lifespan of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that covers the town centre, Victoria and Isebrook. Therefore, for a minimum of the next three years, the area is covered by legislation that prohibits anti-social behaviour.

Barbican® gates

Barbican® gates are extremely secure, as they incorporate a welded pale-through-rail construction, with no visible bolts or fixings that could be removed. Jacksons developed the Barbican® range of fencing and gates as an answer to the inherent flaws and weaknesses that steel palisade brings, where bolts can be easily removed, and pales swung aside to allow repeated access without an obvious trace of a break in.

Barbican® gates are hot dip galvanised for long-lasting protection against rust and corrosion. For the Wellingborough project, the gates were powder coated black to provide a smart appearance and durable finish.