WITH reference to The Press of February 19 about alleygating, one question remains – is this form of device to deter criminals or unsociable activity within areas of high density accommodation?

Alleygating in inner cities became the norm before the police force was established in a vain attempt to curb the activities of criminals using them as what was termed in medieval terms as “bastard sanctuaries”, where they could escape justice.

However, the adverse effect was that alleygating prevented pursuit of an offender.

Are we to become prisoners of our own making and surrender to a lawless society that once engulfed our very wellbeing and freedom of movement? I think not.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.