- If you need your alley gated, we'll get the job done, says Labour as national campaign on crime and anti-social behaviour launched

LABOUR has promised to gate crime hotspot alleyways if it takes over Cardiff council in May.

The Liberal Democrat administration in the city has failed to gate a single alleyway on private land since Labour granted councils the power to do so in February 2007.

Launching Labour's plans to tackle crime and disorder, Regeneration Minister Leighton Andrews said that Labour councils could be trusted to use every power at their disposal to crack down on anti-social behaviour. He said Labour councils would remove licences from shops and pubs selling alcohol to underage children, and use every available power, such as ASBOs, acceptable-behaviour contracts and on-the-spot fines.

He teamed up with Cardiff Labour group leader John Sheppard and deputy group leader Sophie Howe at a problem alleyway in Llandaff, where they met concerned local residents.

LEIGHTON ANDREWS said:

"The Liberal Democrat record on crime and anti-social behaviour is absolutely disgraceful. They are failing the hardworking families, young people and pensioners in our communities who want to live a peaceful, law-abiding life free from the menace of destructive thugs.

"Whichever Liberal Democrat council you look at in Wales, the story is one of failure to tackle anti-social behaviour. Nationally the Lib Dems voted against tough Labour powers to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and locally they have not bothered to take action on the ground."

JOHN SHEPPARD said:

"We were all excited when our Labour Government announced it was introducing legislation to allow local councils to gate problem alleyways. Alleys like the one on Rookwood Close in Llandaff are plagued by underage drinking, vandalism, graffiti and car burglaries.

"The Lib Dems are failing local people by refusing to do anything about it. Unlike the present administration I promise that if we win the next council election then we will gate any alley if the local community demands it and if there is a problem there with crime."

SOPHIE HOWE said:

"The council's response to alleygating has been farcical. It is spending £28,000 a year on an alleygating officer but has failed to gate a single alley on private land. This is a shameful record.

"In my ward we have terrible problems. I have residents on Heol Carne and Heol y Gors on the phone to me at their wits' end because of all of the intimidation and vandalism. This problem needs sorting out and it needs a Labour council to get the job done."