NI Communities Minister Margaret Ritchie has welcomed the installation of an 'alley-gating' scheme, aimed at reducing vandalism at Kennedy Square, in Downpatrick.

The project, which cost £8,000, was planned and managed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive with funding provided by the Department for Social Development through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund.

Minister Ritchie said: "For some time the residents of Kennedy Square were being plagued with antisocial behaviour in their area and had identified the alley way linking Kennedy Square and Scotch Street as a source of the problem.

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"I was delighted therefore to be able to help reduce this problem by making available the necessary funding to provide gates which allow the residents, as key holders, to close off this alley way at night."

The Minister continued: "This project will contribute to the quality of life for the residents of Kennedy Square by helping to create a safe and attractive, sustainable environment.

"It is just one of a range of measures which I have been able to implement as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal programme in Downpatrick under which projects to a value of over £1 million have been delivered to date."

South Down MLA Ms Ritchie also urged the local community to work constructively with community representatives to help discourage anti social behaviour in the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal area.

(PR/JM)