THE keys to the first set of gates to be installed as part of a £500,000 crime initiative will been handed over today.

The scheme, an attempt to keep burglars out of Middlesbrough homes, will be used for back alleys near 800 homes in the North Ormesby area of the town.

The alleys will soon be shut off with a gate and only residents will have keys.

It is hoped this initiative will stop opportunistic thieves from getting into the alleys to slash bin bags in search of credit card details, as well as keeping dogs away and preventing youths congregating.

Thornton Street residents will be given their keys today along with the first of 272 sets of gates to be installed over the next 15 months.

The cash for the project, which is being managed by Tees Valley Housing Group (TVHG) on behalf of Middlesbrough Council, has come from a number of sources, including the Single Regeneration Budget, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and European Regional Development Fund.

Rayees Rashid, alley gate project officer for TVHG, said: "It has taken a lot of work to get to this stage, but I am confident that those people who have not yet got gates will see things happening in the next few months."

Middlesbrough Council's executive member for community safety, Councillor Barry Coppinger, will hand over the keys to Thornton Street resident Eddie Robson this morning.

Coun Coppinger said: "People have been looking forward to the gates being installed and they will provide residents with better security and make them feel safer in their homes.

"While we are providing the alley gates, it is really up to residents to make the system works and ensure the gates are locked so they provide an effective deterrent to intruders and fly-tippers.

"I am sure everyone will see the benefit of having the alley gates and pitch in to make sure they work for them."

Alley gates were first introduced for properties across the town in 2001, to improve security for people living in terraced houses in and around the town centre.

The successful scheme has so far helped to protect about 7,000 properties in the town.