Anti-terror defences to be installed at York Minster

YORK Minster has become the first cathedral in the country to install antiterrorist blocks to stop attacks, after warnings from police.

The cathedral will introduce 12 security blocks designed to defend against attacks of the sort seen in London Bridge, Westminster and Nice, where an attacker drove a vehicle into people.

The Dean of York, the Very Rev Dr Vivienne Faull, said: “Chapter has been concerned about the potential vulnerability of the area around the Minster’s West End for some time.

“The clear recommendation from the Counter Terrorism Unit required us to take urgent and decisive action to protect the area.

“The protective barrier will provide a physical defence and will be a visible deterrent at the front of the minster.

“We have a clear duty of care to everyone who visits York Minster and we will do everything we can to ensure that our worshippers and visitors feel safe and secure when they are here.”

The blocks are similar in style to ones currently used by the Tower of London, and can be removed if the security situation improves.

Earlier this year the Dean of Westminster revealed that police had recommended that Westminster Abbey installed more thorough security measures following terror attacks.

But he added that after seeking further advice the Abbey “concluded that it would be wrong to undertake the measures we see around the Palace of Westminster and Whitehall that would turn the Abbey into a fortress”.

It instead relies on a security team of “beadles” who are “well trained, always vigilant and include ex-met Police officers in their number”, a spokesman said.