UK terror threat: West Midlands Police to install concrete blocks to stop vehicles driving into Lloyd House HQ
Concrete blocks to prevent terrorists ramming into West Midlands Police's Birmingham HQ were being installed today.
The force stressed that the measures for their recently-refurbished Lloyd House HQ were NOT linked to last week's suicide bombing in Manchester, which killed 22 people and injured dozens more.
The force described the blocks as 'vehicle mitigation measures', and said they were a temporary solution until a more 'visually aesthetic solution was installed'.
The force said: "The vehicle mitigation measure has been planned for some time and is not a reaction to the events in Manchester. The blocks are temporary until a more permanent and visually aesthetic solution is installed."
West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann added: "The introduction of concrete blocks outside West Midlands Police’s Lloyd House HQ is not as a result of any specific intelligence or threat.
"It forms part of a long term review of the security of Lloyd House which highlighted, among a range of other measures, a requirement for additional vehicle mitigation measures. The barriers are a temporary move while the force explores a permanent solution."
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "This is a sensible measure that the force is taking in regards to security.
"These barriers are not in response to any specific threat, but are part of an on-going piece of work into security of the police estate.
"I am working closely with the Chief Constable on this issue."
