One consequence of locking the gate at St Joseph's Church in Highgate is that children can't use one of the entrances to St Joseph's RC Primary
- Credit: Polly Hancock
Walkers and parents are calling for a church to reopen a shortcut between Highgate Hill and Dartmouth Park Hill, after it closed it off, citing fears for the safety of the public.
Last year, priests at St Joseph's Church took the decision to lock a gate which had been used for decades to access the adjacent St Joseph's School and other pedestrians.
Father Tiernan Doherty said it was a decision taken in response to police and insurance company advice after antisocial behaviour, petty crime, harassment and an assault against him on the premises.