A councillor admitted “mistakes have been made” on previous proposals to leave all park gates open.

Park user groups had warned of rising crime after Enfield council decided to leave gates at 22 parks and open spaces permanently open in an attempt to save £26,000.

The decision was put on hold by former environment cabinet member Cllr Chris Bond, and the council's scrutiny committee last night approved his successor Cllr Daniel Anderson's revised plans.

These will keep 14 of 22 park gates fully locked with the other eight having their toilets and vehicle barriers locked, but not pedestrian entrances.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Anderson said: “There was a fear of crime would rise in parks. The friends of parks that are fully locked were concerned that it would lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

“Park group were generally happy with the amendments we made with the exception of Enfield Playing fields and Pymmes Park.”

Cllr Anderson revelaed the council would no longer save £26,000, but close to £9,450.

Friends of Enfield Park consortium head, Peter Gibbs, said: “On behalf of the friends and residents this has been a very painful eight months and unnecessary, Cllr Anderson who has acted very pragmatically and been very refreshing.

“Volunteers are extremely valuable and thousands of hours but it has been bruising the past eight months and we have to question why this decision was made?”

Cllr Anderson responded by saying: “Mistakes have been made and we admit that, I understand very fully how you feel. I ensure that we have to get it right and rebuild that relationship.

“We need to work with you better, mistakes will be made because we are human but the intention is the get you on board and that you are not seen as an afterthought.”

The cabinet member admitted that he would continue to review the decision as it came into effect.

Cllr Joanne Laban added: "I welcome the partial U-turn on the issue of not locking parks at night and the apology by Councillor Anderson to the Friends of the Parks Groups.

"I still have concerns about Enfield Playing Fields and I hope that they can be addressed.

"Friends of the parks groups give up their time to improve the parks that they love. The Labour council could not deliver the parks service to the standard it does without their support. However the council and in particular the environment department has not treated them with the respect they deserve for the work they do."