Plans for ‘ring of steel’ to reduce risk of terror attack in city centre

A ‘RING of steel’ is to be created around Leeds city centre to reduce the risk of a terror attack involving vehicles driving into crowds of pedestrians.

Busy shopping streets such as Briggate and Lands Lane will have remotely controlled lowerable bollards installed as part of a system designed to stop unauthorised vehicles accessing key pedestrian areas.

Although additional bollards and large planters have been put in place over the past year or so to make vehicle access more difficult, ram-raiders were twice able to drive onto Briggate in April to target high-end Vuitton.

Fittings will also be created for ‘demountable’ gates, similar to those used as temporary flood defences, to give the option to close off Briggate altogether if it ever becomes necessary.

A Leeds City Council spokesman retailer Louis said the work was designed to provide reassurance for citycentre workers, residents and visitors.

“While there is no information to suggest any specific threat to Leeds, we are continuing to work closely with the police and partners to ensure that precautionary measures are in place to ensure the city is as safe and prepared as possible,” he said.

“As part of this work, we will, over the coming months, be introducing automated rise/fall bollards around the pedestrianised shopping area of the city centre.

“Once in place, these will be controlled through the council’s CCTV system.”

An evaluation is also due to take place to see whether similar security precautions might be needed to provide similar protection for other city-centre locations.