WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secret Service says it has permanently restricted public access to a sidewalk and adjoining areas south of the White House to make it more difficult for people to jump the fence in the latest attempt by the agency to tighten security and deter potential intruders.

The changes were put into effect late Wednesday and follow the arrest last month of a man who climbed over a fence at the White House and was able to roam the grounds for about 17 minutes while carrying Mace before officers discovered him.

President Donald Trump was at the White House at the time. He later praised the way Secret Service handled the incident.

The changes cover sidewalks, road and parkland areas between the fence along the White House South Lawn and E Street NW between West Executive Avenue and East Executive Avenue. They are part of an ongoing review of White House security measures.

The new restrictions were put in place in 2015 for overnight hours, between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. They were made permanent on Wednesday.

Passers-by will still be able to see and take photographs of the White House.