Residents, bin men and firefighters have keys to the gates

Local residents in Keyham and Stoke say they have had enough of burglaries and fly-tipping in their back lanes.

The gates have been erected by Plymouth City Council, in partnership with the police and fire service.

Residents, bin men and firefighters all have their own key, which cannot be copied, and people living in the streets say they are delighted.

One resident, Elizabeth Mace, said: "It will now be a lot cleaner, and hopefully, we'll be able to put out hanging baskets.

Parents can relax knowing their children are playing safely

"It will be a pleasant place to sit out in the summer in the evenings and we will all take pride in our back lane now."

Inspector Martin Williams, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the measure had been taken due to the problems in the areas.

"Residents have reported a high level of fly-tipping, there was a high level of dwelling burglaries, and vehicles were left in rear lanes and set on fire."

Plymouth city councillor Nicky Wildy said the idea for the gates had come from the success of a similar scheme in another part of the UK.

"The gates have been used in the north of England - where there are hundreds of them - for several years now and they are working very, very well.

"When we were given the opportunity to trial them in Plymouth we were absolutely delighted to work with our other partners to make these streets the first in Plymouth to have these gates."

Crime and fly-tipping have plagued the streets

She denied claims that the council was creating segregation areas.

"We are making safety zones in Plymouth," she said.

"Although the gates look heavy, they are very light to manoeuvre.

"It means children can play safely in these areas where they can't at the moment.

"It also reduces the fear of crime, which is sometimes as bad as crime itself, and it gets rid of petty vandalism.

"The communities can reclaim their back lanes for themselves and their families."