Brown reveals wide range of measures to improve security

Nov 15 2007 by David Williamson, Western Mail

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown yesterday unveiled a wide-ranging package of measures to bolster security in public places.

Barriers will be built outside airports, railway stations and ports to protect them from car bomb attacks, while new security advice will be sent out to thousands of cinemas, theatres, restaurants and sports stadiums.

However, from next year, airports will be able to seek permission to allow passengers to take more than one bag onto a plane as hand luggage.

His announcement came on the heels of a major report which calls for anti-terror measures to be built into the design of buildings where people gather in large numbers.

Major new buildings are likely to be built from blast resistant materials. The public will also grow used to seeing traffic control measures such as barriers and vehicle exclusion zones around such buildings.

Labour AM Alun Davies yesterday called for security at the National Assembly to be balanced with a desire to give the public as much access to politicians and the building as possible.

At present, AMs can move from their offices into the debating chamber without ever stepping foot in a public area. Glass partitions in committee rooms and the main chamber cut off the public from the AMs.

He said, “Both the glass partitions and the physical barriers that prevent people from meeting and mixing with Assembly Members mean that many of us can go about our business through the working week without meeting the public at all.”

He wants a review of the partitions and greater access to other areas of the Senedd, which has had more than half a million visitors since February 2006 – an average of 1,500 a day.

Mr Davies said, “We have a public building which should be in the ownership of the people of Wales and not the 60 people elected from time to time to serve them.

“We have lots of glass in this building and glass should be used to enable people to see what’s going on, and not to lock people out.”

Security reviews have also been carried out at the adjacent Wales Millennium Centre.

Director of venue operations Brian Loudon said, “As one of Wales’ most iconic landmarks, we make constant risk assessments on the venue, and keep in strict and regular contact with the security authorities, to determine the risk levels.

“We have robust emergency plans and business continuity plans in place, which are regularly reviewed.

“In addition, we are in regular touch with neighbouring businesses and organisations in Cardiff Bay and with the City Emergency Planning teams.”

South Wales Chief Constable Barbara Wilding has previously warned that the international fame of the Millennium Stadium could make it a target for terrorists.

The Prime Minister’s plans for stepped-up security follow a review of risks by Security Minister, Admiral Lord West.

He said, “We mustn’t do the terrorists’ job for them. We have got to be able to live our lives, do our business, have our holidays, do all the things we normally do in this wonderful country of ours.

“We mustn’t set in place a mechanism that stops us doing that, otherwise we are doing what the terrorists want.”

Lord West said he was confident the threat of terrorism would eventually “fade away”.

But he added, “It will take a generation. It will take 30 years to excise that cancer of terrorism, I believe.”

Some 160 counter-terrorism advisers will train civilian staff to identify suspect activity and ensure premises have adequate emergency facilities while architects will be encouraged to “design in” protective measures into new buildings.

The forthcoming Counter Terrorism Bill will include tougher sentences, new powers of post-sentence monitoring of offenders and additional measures to tackle the financiers of terrorism.

Terrorist trials would be dealt with the appointment of a senior judge to manage all terrorism cases, while a single lead prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service would be made responsible for cases relating to incitement to violent extremism.

The new UK Border Agency, announced earlier this year, will be given additional powers of detention, while airline liaison officers will be able to cancel visas where there are security concerns.

In an effort to tackle the ideas which fuel terrorism, a forum of headteachers will be convened to find ways to protect pupils from extremist propaganda.