Councillors hope to secure £1m to extend a successful anti-crime pilot scheme.

The process of alleygating, in which burglars' thoroughfares are blocked off, was first introduced in the Gresham area of Middlesbrough several months ago.

Since then, a survey has shown that residents feel more secure and enjoy a better quality of life.

Now, Middlesbrough borough councillors plan to extend the scheme to cover other parts of the area. They are currently putting together a bid for the £1m required, which they are hoping the Government will supply.

Councillor Ken Walker, the council leader, urged Southfield residents, who are next in line for alleygating, to give the scheme their backing.

"The pilot alleygate scheme we are operating has taught us a few lessons, including the need for the public to know exactly what it means to them," he said.

"The new scheme to be introduced at Portman Street, in the Southfield area, provides another opportunity to test public support, which will be critical to the proposed £1million bid."

Although blocking off alleyways makes homes less accessible to burglars and dog walkers, it also makes them harder to get to for the residents themselves.

Despite this, Coun Walker said the pilot scheme had attracted widespread support.

Coun Javed Ismail, the ward councillor for Southfield, urged local residents to do their part by attending a meeting of the Southfield Community Council, at the university cinema, in the Europa Building, Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough, from 7pm tomorrow.