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Pressure on festive organisers over ‘terror barrier’ advice

Friday, 13 November 2026 at 06:00

By Bradley Gerrard, Local Democracy Reporter

Volunteers and community groups are feeling added pressure this festive season amid police advice that can include the suggestion of anti-terror barriers.

The likes of Christmas markets are among the events routinely assessed in terms of public safety by police, but sometimes the advice can include anti-vehicle barriers that cost tens of thousands of pounds.
While the police offer general guidance through to more bespoke advice from counter terrorism specialists, one organiser has said that once guidance has been given, it’s difficult to ignore even though budgets can’t always stretch to meet the mitigations suggested.
Samantha Dennis, the chair of South Hams Chamber and an organiser behind Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas, said she and her fellow volunteers took their responsibility over public safety “very seriously”, but they had been surprised by the suggestions from police.
Devon & Cornwall Police stated it would be inappropriate to discuss specific threats, but that Christmas markets are “one of a myriad of public events we are notified about throughout the year”.
“Last year, the police sent us a long list of extra measures we should put in place, one of which was installing Hostile Vehicle Mitigation barriers at a cost of over £30,000,” Ms Dennis said. 
“That long list, and the cost of buying the necessary equipment, I know stopped several local events from happening.
“While the police made clear it was advice only, once you’ve been warned of a risk, can you really go ahead, knowing you aren’t able to mitigate it?”
Assistant chief constable Nikki Leaper said while the overall responsibility for event safety remained with organisers, the force was “very active” in supporting volunteers and groups to plan events, and that this could range from its Winter Vigilance Campaign digital toolkit through to bespoke advice.
“That specialist advice can include significant equipment such as Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Barriers, the supply and cost of which differs due to the type, size and longevity it is required for,” ACC Leaper said.
“The cost is borne by the event organisers.
“The national threat level remains at severe, and the public can expect to see an enhanced visible policing presence across a lot of winter events, including Christmas markets.
“We would always encourage communities to play their part by remaining alert and trusting their instincts, and reporting concerns to event security teams or the police.”
Ms Dennis said that for the Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas event, which she has been involved in organising for over 10 years, most measures suggested by the police had already been considered, with one work-around being positioning tractors at either end of Fore Street in the town instead of the more formal vehicle barriers suggested by police.
“But without that learnt confidence, and experience, we might have walked away, and the town and the area would have been worse off for it,” she added.
“The police have a job to do, but I think their advice, and response, should be proportionate and come with a level of support.
“If not, then these events that we all love will come to an end.”
The Winter Vigilance Campaign can be found on the ProtectUK website.
 

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