Police step up plans to beat terror threat

Published on Tuesday 3 June 2008 10:23

POLICE chiefs and planning officials were meeting today to discuss how to protect Scotland's buildings against potential terrorist attacks.

The security talks came as new security barriers went up at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in a bid to help protect the Queen's Edinburgh home against possible attacks by terrorists.

Concrete blocks linked by steel together with a barrier system have been installed at the palace gates.

Today's meeting organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland at the Scottish Police College in Tulliallan was aimed at encouraging architects, developers and designers to consider counter-terrorism measures at the initial stages of building design.

Alan Dobie, executive director of the Scottish Business Crime Centre, said: "Today's event illustrates the important role architects, developers and planners can play in minimising the effects of terrorism within Scotland's built environment.

He added: "Like many other aspects of crime, partnership between law enforcement and business is the key to successfully tackling these challenges."