FEARFUL folk from the Colletts Green area of Powick have called for a footpath behind their bungalows to be closed because they claim it is used by burglars.

But parish councillors are not convinced it is a good idea and want more evidence about how the footpath is used.

Moves to close the path by putting locked gates at each end began last year after "a couple of burglaries", but it seemed like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut, said John Mason, who lives in Colletts Green.

He said the footpath did not simply provide access to garages, but was widely used by other people.

"Does the parish council want to see this footpath closed? It's been there for 40 years," he said.

Other members said they were not in favour of closing footpaths and feared this could set a precedent for other paths.

"We need to make an informed decision and for that we need some more evidence of whether this was an established footpath before these houses were built," said the chairman, Andy Lamb.

As a result of anxieties about crime, there are moves to form a branch of Neighbourhood Watch in Colletts Green.

District councillor Tom Wells said he had arranged an initial meeting, to be held in the community meeting room on Monday, December 6.