Lockdown in Cardiff: City turned into high security 'prison' with 10 mile 'ring of steel' ahead of Nato conference
- Police have erected nine feet high security fencing around Celtic Manor resort in Newport and Cardiff city centre
- 150 world leaders including Barack Obama and David Cameron will meet in South Wales on September 4 and 5
- Kim Howells, former foreign office minister, fears that home grown Islamic State terrorists could be planning to attack
- More than 9,000 officers from across the UK have been drafted in to police event and traffic disruptions are likely
- The total cost for security is not yet known and is expected to be published after the summit by the Government
Cardiff city centre has been turned into a high security ‘prison’ with 10 miles of fencing - which is being dubbed the ‘ring of steel’ - ahead of the Nato conference next week.
Police have erected the nine feet high security fencing around Celtic Manor resort in Newport where Barack Obama, David Cameron and other world leaders will meet in Wales on September 4 and 5, as well as the city centre.
It comes as former foreign office minister, Kim Howells, issued fears that home grown Islamic State terrorists could be planning to attack the 2014 summit.
Cardiff city centre resembles a high security ‘prison’ with its 10 miles of fencing - dubbed the ‘ring of steel’ - put up ahead of the Nato conference in Wales next week
disruptions.
Mounted police officers patrol the security fence in front of Cardiff Castle ahead of the conference, which will see patrols increased to 9.500 officers from across UK
He said: 'It will be a target, there is no question about it, that is why the security measures taken are so intense.
'With a Nato summit there is going to be a raised expectation or raised awareness that there might be an attack - that is why all the special measures have been taken.’
More than 9,000 officers from across the UK have been drafted in to police the event, which will be attended by 150 heads of state along with thousands of support staff and journalists.
But with eight miles of fencing surrounding the Newport resort and three miles in and around Cardiff city centre, Gwent Police are preparing for traffic disruptions.
People pass through a pedestrian gate that has been installed in the security fence, which is likely to cause traffic chaos when event begins on September 4 and 5
Pedestrians must go through access points (pictured) when walking around the city of Cardiff before and during the Nato summit which begins next week
A spokesperson from the force said: ‘Due to the sheer size and scale of the summit some disruption is inevitable, however, we will be working with the organisers and doing all we can to minimise this.’
It is not yet known how much the bill for security will cost but it is expected to be published by the Government after the event.
Gwent Police say the costs will be met by Nato and No.10 Downing Street – which is leading the event - but opponents have predicted it could cost in the region of £50million, according to the South Wales Argus.
Protesters are expected to arrive in the city this week for a peace camp at Tredegar Park and demonstrations are scheduled for August 30 and September 4.
Gwent Police say the event is likely to attract individuals and organisations who will be intent on protesting and no restrictions will be placed on those in peaceful protest
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2735020/Lockdown-Cardiff-City-turned-high-security-prison-10-miles-fencing-dubbed-ring-steel-ahead-Nato-conference-week.html#ixzz3BhyumUBL
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