City of York Council to decide on plans to install permanent protection measures

Following advice from Counter Terrorism Police, the City of York Council will decide next week whether to approve plans to install permanent protection measures in the city centre to protect against attacks such as those seen in Toronto, London and Nice.

The council has been strongly advised by North Yorkshire Police and Counter Terrorism Police that not having proactive measures is "an unacceptable risk". A letter from the Counter Terrorism Police says “proposals for HVM [Heavy Vehicle Mitigation] in York are evidence based and proportionate to the current threat level. They were formulated with the support of specialist teams and will support the longer term safeguarding of the city”.

The plans include the installation of permanent, sliding and fixed bollards in the city's foot street area, to combat the threat of vehicle-as-weapon attacks. Counter-terrorism experts have identified the most effective locations for these, with emergency-only vehicle access recommended by the police. Installation is expected to be completed in spring 2023.

The council is working with Make It York to ensure improved temporary measures are in place for the busy Christmas period.

Councils in Bath, Leeds, Chester and Sheffield are also working with the police and counter terrorism security advisors to protect pedestrian areas.

The upcoming Protect Duty will also require councils to install protection measures in busy footfall areas.

Councillor Andy D’Agorne, deputy leader of the council and executive member for transport, said: "By installing a visible deterrent and a physical barrier to hostile vehicles, we are following expert advice which is in line with proposed legislation for local authorities responsible for roads, squares and pedestrianised areas.

"This new legislation will require councils across the country to respect terrorist threat levels, assess the risk, and implement protective security and preparedness measures.

"Due to high levels of footfall in York city centre we, as well as other cities, have been working to ensure protective measures are in place as soon as possible.”

Acting chief inspector Andrew Godfrey of North Yorkshire Police, said: "It is sadly a fact of life that terrorists can strike at any time and any place without warning, both here in the UK, and around the world.

"It will always be our absolute priority to keep our city safe and so we welcome the introduction of any security measures that will help us to do that.

“Whilst these new security measures will be permanent, if you live, work or visit our city you’ll continue to see a selection of policing tactics used in the future to keep everyone safe."

Image: Pixabay