A set of gates have been put in place on a Preston alleyway in a bid to cut crime in the city centre.

The alley gates have been put up at either end of the passageway behind Cannon Street following complaints from local businesses that criminals had been using it as a quick getaway route after committing offences in the city.

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PC Bryanna Collier, community beat manager for the city centre, worked with both the council and Preston businesses to get funding for the new gates.

“Drug users would congregate there; shoplifters would use it as an escape route after stealing from local stores and robberies had also taken place down there. It was also used by street drinkers as an unofficial toilet and nearby businesses were targeted in burglaries as the alley made it easy for them to gain access to the rear of the properties.

“Nearby businesses were keen to find a solution to the problems so we worked with them and Preston City Council to get funding in place and put up a set of gates. This will prevent people from using the alleyway for criminal purposes and will make the surrounding area a safer place.”