St Paul's Cathedral has been forced to close its doors to the public because of the anti-capitalist protest taking place outside.
The Dean of St Paul's, the Rev Graeme Knowles, said the decision to close the cathedral was made with "heavy hearts". He said the decision was taken after church officials received a report by health and safety officials.
The Dean asked the activists, who have occupied a makeshift campsite outside the main entrance of the house of worship since Saturday, to move on.
The cathedral has not been closed since the Second World War, the Dean said. "We have a legal obligation to keep visitors safe and healthy," he added.
Earlier in the week, a church official said the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest was causing a "risk to the life of the cathedral".
Mr Knowles, who has been forced to cancel a visit to America, said the decision was "unprecedented".
He said: "I have written an open letter to the protesters this afternoon advising them that we have no lawful alternative but to close St Paul's Cathedral until further notice.
"Health, safety and fire officers have pointed out that access to the cathedral is seriously limited. With so many stoves and fires and lots of different types of fuel around, there is a very clear fire hazard.
"Then there is the public health aspect which indeed speaks for itself. The dangers relate not just to cathedral staff and to visitors but are a potential hazard to those encamped themselves.
"The decision to close St Paul's Cathedral is unprecedented in modern times. We have done this with a very heavy heart, but it is simply not possible to fulfil our day to day obligations to worshippers, visitors and pilgrims in current circumstances."
St Paul's Cathedral has been forced to close its doors to the public because of the anti-capitalist protest taking place outside.
The Dean of St Paul's, the Rev Graeme Knowles, said the decision to close the cathedral was made with "heavy hearts". He said the decision was taken after church officials received a report by health and safety officials.
The Dean asked the activists, who have occupied a makeshift campsite outside the main entrance of the house of worship since Saturday, to move on.
The cathedral has not been closed since the Second World War, the Dean said. "We have a legal obligation to keep visitors safe and healthy," he added.
Earlier in the week, a church official said the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest was causing a "risk to the life of the cathedral".
Mr Knowles, who has been forced to cancel a visit to America, said the decision was "unprecedented".
He said: "I have written an open letter to the protesters this afternoon advising them that we have no lawful alternative but to close St Paul's Cathedral until further notice.
"Health, safety and fire officers have pointed out that access to the cathedral is seriously limited. With so many stoves and fires and lots of different types of fuel around, there is a very clear fire hazard.
"Then there is the public health aspect which indeed speaks for itself. The dangers relate not just to cathedral staff and to visitors but are a potential hazard to those encamped themselves.
"The decision to close St Paul's Cathedral is unprecedented in modern times. We have done this with a very heavy heart, but it is simply not possible to fulfil our day to day obligations to worshippers, visitors and pilgrims in current circumstances."