Two alleys in the town were closed off for the scheme

The scheme has involved blocking off two alleys in Barrow, which run between the rows of terraced houses, to everyone except for people who live there and the emergency services.

The idea is that it blocks off escape routes for burglars and also hands the alleys back to local residents.

But a planned expansion of the scheme had to be put on hold because of legal problems with blocking off a public right of way in this way.

The two Barrow pilots are due to expire in the middle of January and a decision will be needed this week over whether to go for permanent stopping up of the highway if these are to be saved.

County councillor Anne Burns is one of those involved and said the scheme has had an impact in crime and also helped community spirit.

Community spirit

She said: "The scheme was meant to achieve cutting down crime in the crime hotspots in Barrow.

"We determined which were the areas which were the highest hotspots for burglary through back entrances.

"It has been very successful in achieving its aim. It was also meant to put a community spirit back into areas and that has been hugely successful too."

She said she hopes the success of the Barrow scheme will mean it can be expanded to other parts of Cumbria.

She said: "I think too many areas in the county have seen how successful the one in Barrow is and want them in their own area for it not to go ahead."