A decision to open up more of Bradford City Hall to the public will reverse years of “over-the-top” security measures, the leader of the Council has said.

Councillor David Green said access to the Grade I listed building had been restricted after a spate of thefts of purses and handbags from Council offices.

Security was tightened further ahead of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, amid fears anti-war demonstrators could stage a sit-in, he told a meeting of the Council’s Executive yesterday.

He said: “I think it was over-the-top then and I think the fact part of it is still in place is over-the-top now.”

The Council plans to open up the lower floors of the Victorian Gothic building to the public, and also set up a Friends of City Hall voluntary group to co-ordinate events and tours.

Councillor Val Slater said: “As heritage champion for the Council, I do welcome this.”

She said on Heritage Open Day, she and Councillor Malcolm Slater had spent the day showing people around City Hall.

She said: “It was absolutely amazing, the number of people who said they had never been in the building before, and what a magnificent building it was.”