PUBLIC access to York's maze of snickets and back alleys has come a step closer to being cut back under a radical new council clampdown on crime.

Members of City of York Council's executive will on Tuesday discuss gating off back alleys in some parts of South Bank, Clifton, Bootham, and Grosvenor Terrace and Burton Stone Lane.

The executive will also debate creating a new council post of 'alleygating officer,' to oversee the gating off.

The initiative is aimed at reducing crime and antisocial behaviour linked to the network of alleys and snickets.

Peter Evely, head of network management, said in a report: "There are reports of housebreaking in one area being reduced from 81 to 24 as a result of the use of gates on alleys.

"In another there was a fall from a previous of 15 to an after- closure of two. Evidence also appears to show that closure of some alleys frustrates the committing of crime within the local area due to the removal of an unobserved means of access or escape."

Before any gates can be put in, the council must get approval from residents and the Home Office.

People whose homes back on to the alleys would still be able to access them, using a council issue key.

Closure of an alley would be requested by an area ward committee, but would not be done without the agreement of all "interested parties."

The cost of the closure would have to be met by the ward committee - about £10,000 a time.

The plans have been backed by council leader Steve Galloway.

He said: "So far the council has not had a proactive policy in reducing these escape routes. The idea of appointing an additional member of staff is that we are proactive in this way.

"In terms of preventing crime the maximum effect can be gained by securing some back lanes and reducing the number of snickets, usually those in suburban estates."

Jane Mowat, director of Safer York Partnership, said: "Safer York Partnership endorses any decision or initiative, either environmental or otherwise, to areas suffering from high levels of crime."

The proposals will be discussed at The Guildhall from 2pm.

Updated: 10:27 Wednesday, July 23, 2003