Parliament Square could be pedestrianised to stop vehicle attacks

PART of Parliament Square could be pedestrianised in the wake of the latest suspected Westminster terror attack, Britain’s most senior police officer has said.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the move to ban vehicles from the road in front of the Houses of Parliament could be made in an attempt to prevent further attacks using vehicles, which are becoming terrorists’ “weapon of choice”.

UK national Salih Khater, a 29-yearold former Sudanese migrant, remains in police custody following his arrest after crashing a silver Ford Fiesta.

Ms Dick praised officers’ courage as they leapt into action following the “ghastly” crash at the entrance to the House of Lords.

She said: “You will notice that the security around Parliament, both in terms of armed officers, police officers and physical barriers, has been further enhanced over the last several months and there is more to come.

“Whether that area outside should be pedestrianised further … I think is a matter that will be discussed no doubt between parliamentary authorities, us, the intelligence agencies and indeed the local authorities and the mayor.”

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, yesterday backed the move.

He said he believed the physical security around the Houses of Parliament should be strengthened, but warned of problems making the whole area vehicle-free. He told BBC Radio 4: “I’ve been an advocate for a while now of part-pedestrianising Parliament Square.

“[But] I think there would be all sorts of challenges with doing the whole square because it is a thoroughfare for cars, vehicles, commercial deliveries going through London.”