A project to close off alleyways used as rat runs by criminals and vandals is being extended to other parts of an estate after being hailed as a success. The first phase of the "alleygating" scheme in the Whitehawk area of Brighton, East Sussex, saw access restricted to 41 alleys in July 2005.
The group responsible, East Brighton For You (eb4u), said the residents' response had been "very positive".
Similar alleygating work in north and central Whitehawk begins this month.
The first part was at the southern end of the estate, described by eb4u's Alice Smyth as having "a lot more work to do".
 |  People are allowing their children to play outside now |
Resident Lesley Belcher, who lives in Brede Close, said: "In the alleyways and in our gardens we were finding cans and broken bottles, and also the odd syringe which wasn't very pleasant."
Some alleys were given lockable gates while others were removed entirely by gardens being extended.
"People are allowing their children to play outside now," said Ms Smyth.
"Before we had alleys linking different closes. Now they've become a close in their own right and the locals have taken ownership of them."
The alleygating project was centred around Brede Close, Manor Way, Whitehawk Road and Hamsey Close.
Ms Smyth said a survey of about 200 residents this summer had shown that it "was successful, and had reduced the fear of crime in the area".
Parts of north and central Whitehawk are now earmarked for 24 alleyways to be closed off or removed.
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