Automobile crash: What’s safety like at Downing Street?

Downing Street is among the most closely protected locations within the UK.

Barriers had been first used to stop entry to the street in 1920 and had been periodically eliminated and reintroduced for the following 69 years relying on the perceived menace degree.

However, since 1989 a safety checkpoint marked by giant black gates at both finish of Downing Street has been in place, launched amid fears of assaults by the IRA.

Following an IRA mortar assault in 1991, safety was additional tightened.

The avenue is continually patrolled by armed police from the diplomatic safety group.

There can also be often a minimum of one police officer stationed exterior the door of Number 10.

To get by means of the gates, individuals have needed to present a move to one of many officers.

There are additionally intensive safety gadgets and cameras on the road.

Despite the intensive safety, protests exterior the gates are nonetheless allowed, as it’s seen as an vital a part of the UK’s democracy.

Read extra:
Man arrested after car hits Downing Street gates

However, full particulars of the safety measures in place round Downing Street and Number 10 haven’t been made public for safety causes.

In response to a Freedom of Information request concerning safety round Downing Street, the Metropolitan Police stated: “To disclose details of the number of officers deployed, particularly in relation to a specific site or at a specific time, would provide details of policing tactics and resources used in relation to security and protection operations.

“This would permit these with a legal or extremist intent to realize an operational benefit over the MPS and due to this fact undermine the safeguarding of National Security and compromise our legislation enforcement capabilities.”