FURIOUS debate on the future of a well-used York right of way has been aired at a packed public inquiry.

About 100 protesters and campaigners crowded into York's Guildhall for the first day of an inquiry into the future of a path running through St Peter's School, in Clifton.

St Peter's wants to close the path - which is a public right of way - to keep criminals away from its premises.

But the proposal has sparked anger from many locals, who say the path is a much-valued local walkway.

Paul Tucker, for the school, told the inquiry: "There's a clear history of incidents of concern over a number of years, many of which have involved the police.

"Confirming the order will lead to a substantial improvement in security and will avoid the risk of any serious incidents occurring."

Last Thursday, raiders broke into a changing room at the school, situated next to the controversial path. Bags containing mobile phones, money and clothes were stolen.

Sue Rumfitt, for City of York Council, said: "It's the council's case that measures have been made to improve the security of the school, but that other measures that could be taken are compromised by the security risk presented by the footpath."

The inquiry heard from Clifton residents who objected to the path closure.

Daphne Taylor, who lives locally, said she regularly walked her dog there.

She said: "Security of the school staff and pupils is paramount, I absolutely agree, however closing the footpath will make not one jot of difference to their security.

"Possibly it will make it worse because it will remove the public - people like myself who police the path and stop unlawful activity."

Philip Crowe, from the Clifton Path Action Group - the local body which is objecting to the closure - said the school's crime figures did not justify closing the right of way.

He said: "Where are the lurking paedophiles, the potential abductors, the drug dealers preying on the innocent?

"No substantial improvement in security is possible, unless the aim is to turn the school into a virtual prison, when the unlawful activities which the school complains about are simply not occurring in sufficient numbers to justify it." The inquiry was continuing today. It was expected to last four days.

The path which is the focus of the inquiry is pictured here. On Monday we used a picture of another path near the school, which is not the subject of the hearing.

Updated: 10:17 Wednesday, January 18, 2006