23/05/2003

Security measures stepped up in London

Following America's decision to step up its national alert status to Orange – its second highest level – London today saw a massively increased security presence.

High-profile targets for possible terror attack, such as Buckingham Palace and the House of Commons, have had armed police posted around them and concrete bollards have been placed around the external perimeters of the buildings in measures to prevent or reduce the effects of any possible car-bomb attacks.

However, despite a month of numerous suicide bombings in Chechnya, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Israel, police today said that the visible increase in security was not an attempt to counter a known specific terrorist threat.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said the heightened level of security was purely a "precautionary measure".

(GMcG)

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