- There were fears last year that huge crowds around the site could be targeted
- Concrete barriers and metal gates are in place this year ahead of opening night
- Comes after terrorist in a lorry drove into German Christmas market killing 12
Security has been beefed up around the Winter Wonderland Christmas fair in London amid fears of a Berlin-style terror attack.
Twelve people people died and 56 were injured when Islamic extremist Anis Amri ploughed a truck into a Christmas market outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin last December.
The attack sparked fears large crowds queuing to get into Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park were 'sitting ducks' for terrorists in Britain.
The attraction officially opens on Friday night but it was open this evening to pre-paid ticketholders.
This year, the main entrance still has fences set up to funnel visitors into the main gates, although barriers run down the side of the pathway to protect the public.
The Marble Arch entrance still has zigzag metal fencing to allow for long queues, but also has a row of black concrete blocks in front of the grass area and concrete barriers running either side of the entrance.
Huge concrete blocks have meanwhile been put across the the main entrance to Hyde Park this year, to stop vehicles driving down its wide walkways.
Metal and concrete barriers have also been erected along the side of the entrance to stop potential van and lorry attacks.
The annual attraction is due to open its doors at 5pm tomorrow, and preparations continue with concrete blocks still being moved into position and more fortifications drilled into the ground this afternoon.
The fair - made using 500 tonnes of ice and snow - is expected to attract thousands on its first day and millions before it closes its doors on January 1.
Those walking around the site today said they thought it was important to carry on as normal in the face of the terror threat facing the UK.
Tourist Margaret Farrell, 63, welcomed the extra security, adding: 'It's unfortunate we have to do these things to keep people safe but they have to do what is necessary, otherwise there could be another tragedy.
'I'm personally not worried about terrorism, you can't live your life like that.'
Londoner Paul Barrett, 44, who was visiting Hyde Park with his three-year-old son, said: 'It's good they've got extra security measures. It would be terrible if they did nothing and there was another attack.
'But I don't think it will make any more or less people come here. Londoners will always do whatever they want and not let the threat of terrorism get in the way.'
Armed police have been seen patrolling Manchester's Christmas markets this week, working alongside undercover plain clothes officers who will mingle with the crowds.
Armed anti-terror police have also been carrying out stop and searches of vehicles in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
A spokesman for Winter Wonderland told MailOnline: 'The safety and security of our customers is of the utmost importance. We have a robust security management plan in place.
'This includes extensive perimeter protection with barriers placed around the site to protect from vehicles, as well as thorough bag searches and an enhanced police presence.
'Due to the additional safety and security checks that will be in place, we are advising our customers to allow extra time for this when planning their visit.
'We continue to work closely with all relevant authorities including the Metropolitan Police, Westminster City Council and Counter Terrorism Police to ensure public safety and we are constantly reviewing our plans and procedures.'
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said last week: 'The public may see additional protective security measures and barriers at events this year, in response to a number of vehicle-based terrorist attacks we have sadly seen both here in the UK and abroad.'
No comments:
Post a Comment