A group of Barkingside residents have joined forces to close off an alleyway behind their homes after years of burglaries, vandalism and littering.

Ilford Recorder: The alleyway behind houses in Westminster, Waverley and Craven Gardens before the gate was installed.The alleyway behind houses in Westminster, Waverley and Craven Gardens before the gate was installed. (Image: Archant)

Almost 50 residents of Westminster Gardens, Waverley Gardens and Craven Gardens paid half of the amount needed for gates and fences and their funding was matched by Redbridge Council.

Kamau Jordan, of Waverley Gardens, gathered his neighbours together to support the scheme, which included improved lighting in the cleared and repainted alleyway.

He said: “Having had my garage broken into on three separate occasions, despite taking steps to prevent this, and an attempted break in at my house, enough was enough.

“As well as the security risk we had faced, we were also experiencing anti-social behaviour and our alley would be used as a cut through.”

Mr Jordan said the alleygate scheme has brought neighbours who never knew each other together and created community spirit.

Residents in a nearby road are now attempting to follow suit with gates of their own.

Cllr Shoaib Patel, cabinet member for environment, transport and crime, said: “I am so pleased to see the impact the gates have made, not just on the alleyway, but the effect it has had on the neighbourhood too.”

Residents can apply for funding through the council’s alleygate scheme until December 1.

Only half the total cost can be granted and permission must be given by all affected property owners to apply.