INITIATIVES to tackle the fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and the general state of North Ormesby have received vital funding.

The Tees Valley Housing Group scheme (TVHG), aimed at improving the future of the area, has received £600,000 from Government Office North East.

The North Ormesby Neighbourhood Management Pilot, which is run by the North Ormesby Neighbourhood Action Initiative along with TVHG, was set up by Middlesbrough Council and run by residents from the area.

The money will enable an alley-gating scheme to be brought in for nearly 800 properties. The back alleys behind these homes will be shut off with a partition and gate and only residents will have keys.

The aim of the initiative is to stop opportunistic thieves from getting into the alleys to slash bin bags in search of credit card details, as well as keeping dogs out of the alleys, where they have been known to tear open bags and leave litter strewn around.

Another method of dealing with litter problems will be the introduction of 1,100 litre large wheeled bins.

The scheme will also work with Middlesbrough Council's existing Shield Project, a private landlords' referencing scheme, to ensure any tenants are checked for histories of anti-social behaviour.

Neighbourhood manager David Francis said: "This money from Government Office North East will help us to push forward with the alley-gating scheme and other initiatives, which will tackle the issues which affect the public in North Ormesby.

"With the introduction of these measures, we hope to deter thieves, reduce the problems of litter from bin bags, and limit the risk of problem tenants moving into the area."

Deborah Stephenson, TVHG's head of community investment, said: "The first year of the management pilot has been successful in terms of the partnership which has been built up in North Ormesby between the residents, North Ormesby Neighbourhood Action Initiative, Tees Valley Housing Group and Middlesbrough Council.

"We are now planning to use this money to progress with the plans which have been agreed."

The management pilot is based in a refurbished retail unit in King's Road, North Ormesby.