Manned checkpoints proposed around London's skyscrapers to protect city from terror attack

Manned checkpoints as part of a new "Ring of Steel" will protect London's skyscrapers for the first time in 24 years.

In a security crackdown proposed by MI5 and counter terrorism police , a series of measures are to be introduced to prevent terror attacks on the city's newest skyscrapers.

The £5 million move includes manned checkpoints, crash proof barricades and rising street bollards.

The proposal could be completed by 2022 around the Liverpool Street, Bank of England and Fenchurch Street area.

The last time manned checkpoints were used was 1992 after the IRA had bombed the Baltic Exchange.

Measures to protect London's financial hub were recommended following the Berlin Christmas market terror attack this month which left 12 people dead and 49 injured.

According to a Corporation of London report, the Bank of England location was a place where it had "had identified that the area was highly sensitive to a hostile vehicle-borne security threat".

Will Geddes, founder of International Corporate Protection, said: "Although we've seen of late 'lo-fi type' attacks, like the Berlin Christmas market where a lorry that was hijacked and driven into a crowded area, we cannot discount the type of attack that will include a large truck packed with explosives."

Funding for the project has not yet been finalised, but some has been raised by businesses in the are, and other money will come from new developers when new skyscrapers are built in the area.

Following this month's attack at a Christmas market in Berlin, the Met Police said it was reviewing its plans .

A statement from the force said: "The Metropolitan Police has detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and New Year period.

"These already recognise that the threat level is at 'severe', meaning an attack is highly likely, and have considered a range of threats, including the use of large vehicles.

"As a matter of routine, as a precaution, we review our plans after attacks overseas, and we are doing so at present following the awful incidents in Berlin and Ankara last night."

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