Gate thief caught in the act

AN eagle-eyed resident has been praised for helping Oldham Council recover a set of alleygates . . . before they had even been reported stolen.

Thanks to the crime-conscious Oldhamer, the steel gates were put back in place on the same day and the thief convicted of handling stolen goods.

The council’s Community Safety Service (CSS) received a call from a member of the public after a man was seen taking the alleygates into the back yard of an Oldham address.

Council officials visited the property and immediately recognised the gates thanks to the unique locking mechanism used by the authority.

At that point, no-one had even reported any missing gates but when a resident of Healey Street, Chadderton, called the CSS asking why contractors had removed the security scheme, their original address was revealed.

The stolen gates were promptly removed from the back yard and a council engineer re-installed them at Healey Street the same day.

After pleading guilty at Oldham Magistrates’ Court, the thief was sentenced to a community order and told to pay the council £130 compensation with £85 costs.

Councillor Rod Blyth, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said: “First of all I would like to thank the public-spirited resident who came forward when they spotted the gates somewhere they shouldn’t have been.

“Oldham now has more than 400 alleygating schemes. Since the council started installing them nearly seven years ago, they have helped to cut burglaries and anti-social behaviour while helping to improve the quality of life for citizens.”

In order for an area to be fitted with alleygates, the council first has to consult with residents and look into the technicalities. There are also certain legal issues which can take time.

If the scheme is considered viable, a contractor will then be appointed and the alleygates installed.

To find out more, call the CSS on 0161-770 1573.