Thank you to everyone who has helped us to understand whether the installation of 'lane-gates' would help to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the Shipcote area.
Your views have helped to develop the lane-gating plan.
We now need to formally consult you on the creation of a 'Public Space Protection Order' (PSPO). This is the legal provision that would allow us to put the lane-gating plan into effect.
Public Space Protection Order 2026 (Shipcote)
Then let us know whether or not you agree with the PSPO.
Get in touch if you would like a paper copy of the consultation or a home visit to help you participate: [email protected] or 0191 433 2305.
Information to help you to comment on the PSPO
The following information may be useful. If you have any further questions before giving your views or if you would like any further information, get in touch: [email protected] or 0191 433 2305.
Legal test
Based on Northumbria Police and Council data on crime and ASB, and what you have told us about your experience of crime and ASB in Shipcote, we are satisfied that Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is met. Crime and ASB is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the area, it is persistent and continuing, unreasonable and justifies our lane-gating proposal.
You have told us about drug dealing and drug use, criminal activity including violence against the person, criminal damage, youth nuisance and graffiti, and the use of off-road bikes, fly-tipping of waste, dog fouling, abandoned vehicles and arson.
Of those of you in Shipcote who have already given your views on the lane-gating plan, 23% of you have been a victim of crime in the area in the past 3 years.
What the Public Space Protection Order does
The PSPO creates a restriction on access to the lanes identified, so that only the following are permitted to enter the lanes:
- occupiers of homes and businesses adjoining or adjacent to the lane
- persons engaged on council business, police, ambulance or fire service personnel acting in pursuance of statutory powers or duties
- statutory undertakers of gas, electricity, and water
- communications providers requiring access to their apparatus situated in the highway
- any other person reasonably acting within the course of their duty, such as a landlord or their contractor carrying out property maintenance
The PSPO allows us to install barriers or gates for this purpose.
Human rights concerns
In deciding whether to make a PSPO and what to include in a PSPO, we must consider whether it would interfere with the Human Rights Act 1998, in particular, to those rights set out in Article 10 (right of freedom of expression) and Article 11 (right of freedom of assembly).
89% of those who have given their view so far (businesses, residents, other interested parties including landlords, emergency services and utility companies) have told us that they think the impact of lane-gating would be positive. Based on the data and what you have told us, we have concluded that the restrictions on such rights and freedoms imposed by this Order are lawful, necessary and proportionate to the need to protect public safety and to prevent crime and ASB.
How the PSPO would be enforced
The purpose of the PSPO is to help residents and business to feel and be safe using the lanes.
Someone in the lane that shouldn't be there, or doing the things in the Order that they shouldn't be doing, commits an offence and could receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 or be prosecuted.
Our Environmental ASB Team would continue to visit the area and would receive and investigate reports about problems. Fly-tipping should continue to be reported online to ensure fast investigation and collection, but any other problems or failures to adhere to the PSPO should be reported to [email protected] or directly to the team on 0191 432 305.
To help people know what is expected, the restrictions in the PSPO would be included in some signage in the area.
Help to present your bin for collection at the lane-gate
The installation of lane-gate posts would make it difficult for the bin collection vehicle to access the lane, and residents would be asked to bring their bin to and from the lane-gate for collection. This does not apply to those who use the assisted bin collection service. If the PSPO is made and you think you would be eligible for assisted bin collection from your home, request an assisted bin collection or call 0191 433 3000. Collections can be agreed for a longer period for those suffering from medical conditions, or for a short term for those recovering from an injury or surgery.
When neighbours inside the lane area are causing the problems
Gates will protect the lane from those that would otherwise enter or pass through, but it is possible that some problems, such as residents dumping waste in the lane, could continue. Protecting the area from others will help - we receive regular reports of vans that visit to leave waste behind. Waste attracts more waste, and a reduced amount should be easier to investigate and to identify those responsible. We are committed to continuing to investigate environmental ASB and to take action regardless of the source to improve the area for everyone. Being able to be proud of the area is important, and we hope that all residents will participate in and benefit from the improvement.
To help us to investigate, local businesses have volunteered access to CCTV that might identify crime or ASB - this is really welcome. Lane-gates can make it much more likely that residents and businesses will recognise each other, and both will help to be a further deterrent.
How the gates would look
View the designs for the gates. (PDF, 52 KB)
Getting a key for the gates
We would provide every household and business with a key for the gates. We would work with emergency services and utility companies to provide them with the access they need too. One key would operate all the Shipcote gates, both pedestrian and vehicle. We would ask for a £5.00 payment for the key to help cover the cost of issue and administration. Contact details would be provided at issue to help you replace a lost key.
Exact location of the gates
This plan shows the lanes that are proposed for gates (PDF, 447 KB), produced using the feedback already received. We are currently carrying out a ground survey to locate pipes and cables to determine how close to those locations gates could be constructed.
What happens next
If consultees agree to the PSPO we will let you know that the Order has been made. We are doing site surveys now to speed up the installation of gates in the event that consultees agree. If the Order is made, planning permission for gates will be requested and the contractor will be appointed.
