Sheffield city centre plans for anti-terror barriers

Sheffield City Council has announced that approximately £5 million will be spent to ensure that counter terror barriers are permanently installed in its city centre.

The barriers, to be placed at Tudor Square, Fargate, Pinstone Street, Barkers Pool and The Moor, will be landscaped, rather than concrete blocks, and able to withstand the force of a six-tonne van. Temporary barriers were installed when the Christmas markets were in situ.

Paul Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: "It is sadly a fact of life that acts of terrorism can and do happen in the UK and around the world and that major cities must respond to those challenges. We must take every step necessary to keep our city safe."

The move is not in response to a specific threat but the council has stressed that it was necessary to keep people safe.