Eight Ashfield alleyways described by authorities as "catalysts for crime and anti-social behaviour" are expected to be closed down from March onwards.

Ashfield District Council's cabinet will discuss a legal public spaces protection order (PSPO) next week (January 24) before it's presented to next month's full council.

A PSPO is a legal tool used by councils to clamp down on crime and anti-social behaviour. It allows council teams and police to fine people breaching its rules.

A separate district-wide order is already in place targeting nuisances like public drinking and dog fouling.

The new order will target four hotspot alleyways in Sutton's New Cross area, three in Kirkby's Coxmoor Estate and a further one public route in Hucknall.

The four Sutton routes include a service road behind Outram Street – connecting Downing Street to North Street – known locally as 'mucky alley'.

This route already has CCTV installed after being described by councillors as a "drive-thru for fly-tippers" and recorded more than 300 incidents last year.

The order also includes two public rights of way connecting Bramley Court with Bentinck Street and Sutton Lawn, as well as the passage between Welbeck Street and Portland Close.

The three Kirkby alleys include land next to 40 Rosewood Drive and the two alleys connecting Spruce Grove to Poplar Avenue and Beacon Drive.

The remaining alleyway is behind 34-37 Rockwood Walk in Hucknall.

Speaking when the PSPO consultation was launched in November, cabinet members said the order had been a "long time coming".

Cllr Samantha Deakin (Ash Ind), portfolio holder for parks, town centres and environmental services, also represents Sutton Central and New Cross.

She said: "Some of these areas have been problems for years.

"I'm really pleased we're able to appease some of this for residents.

"It's brilliant and shows a clear message we won't tolerate the anti-social behaviour, the levels of drugs and alcohol and everything else that happens in these alleyways to make life difficult for residents."

Plans for the PSPO came after concerns were raised about general anti-social behaviour in the alleyways.

Concerns included littering and fly-tipping, the use of off-road motorbikes and 'nuisance vehicles', large groups gathering, drug use and drug dealing, criminal damage and residents reporting "feelings of being unsafe".

Antonio Taylor, the council's community safety manager, previously said: "The eight areas are catalysts for crime and anti-social behaviour across the district.

"It has been having a detrimental impact upon local residents but, equally, it's been having an impact on resources for both the council and police as well.

"It has been demand-intensive for officers going out to repeat calls in those localities."

Cabinet members will discuss the PSPO after a consultation found overwhelming support for the order.

Restricting all eight areas received majority support from those consulted, while 124 out of 128 respondents believed fines should be handed out to people breaching the PSPO.

A council report said 835 incidents were recorded across the eight alleys throughout 2022, with 'mucky alley' the biggest hotspot at 327 incidents.