NEIGHBOURS have gone it alone to shut out crooks. Residents could not believe it when they were ruled out of a scheme which has brought peace of mind to others in the town where they live.

But householders from crime-hit Stratford Road in Hartlepool, some of them elderly and disabled, were told they lived 250 yards outside the boundary of Government-sponsored scheme providing streets with alley gates and were not eligible for the scheme, which was devised to protect the vulnerable rear approach to homes.

The installation of alley gates has led to drops in crime in those parts of Teesside and the rest of the country where they have been installed across back lanes and alleyways.

Technical officer Ken Cooke, who works with advice service Endeavour Repaircare (COR) found a local firm who quoted £2,000 for manufacturing and installing security gates just as good as the ones provided in the Government scheme.

Residents formed an action committee to raise the money themselves, and the measures are now in place.

Mr Cooke said: "We really had to start from scratch and decide how the money could be found for the gates as there were no grants available.''

Resident Mr Stephen Horner said: "Ken gave us a lot of help, putting our planning application before the local council's planning committee, helping with the design for the gates And doing endless paper work. We were very grateful for Endeavour Repaircare's help.''

Pat Sole, Mr Cooke's boss said: "We are delighted that we were able to help the residents who had obvious problems, but who did not fit the criteria for the Government sponsored alley gates scheme because they were just outside the boundary. The residents and Ken were determined to find a way round the problem - and they succeeded.''