ST HELENS Council has agreed to take advantage of new powers to gate passages and alleys that are crime hot spots.

The 2005 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act introduced new provisions for councils to implement gating orders.

It means the council can restrict public access to highways at certain times if they pose problems of anti-social behaviour.

It will complement the current alleygating in areas that have back-to-back Victorian houses to help reduce back door burglaries.

Requests for gating orders should be made to the council's engineering division.

The community safety team will provide an overview of crime at the proposed location.

Police will be consulted and, if it is approved, a public notice will be made in the Newton and Golborne Guardian, with copies sent to residents and interested parties.

Some applications could be subject to a public inquiry, while all gating orders will be subject to review.