Electric fencing for Big Ben

The Evening Standard ^ | August 2, 2004 | Paul Waugh

[MadIvan]

Big Ben and other key parts of Parliament are set to be protected by an electric security fence in a bid to foil terrorists and protesters.

Commons authorities have ordered officials to look at the feasibility of running a high-voltage fence at "weak spots" in defences.

The fence would run along the bottom of Big Ben and into Parliament Square, a part of the Parliamentary estate that was breached by Greenpeace protesters this year.

A Commons source said today: "It would give you a nasty shock."

In March two Greenpeace activists managed to scale the wall and climb St Stephen's Tower to unfurl an anti-war banner.

Big Ben would also be a trophy target for al Qaeda and police are worried that present protection is inadequate.

The House of Commons Commission, the executive body in charge of MPs and officials, expects to receive a full report on the security improvements next month.

[MadIvan]

Worth a try, I suppose.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[kb2614]

Pub crawling could turn into a shocking experience if you stumble down the wrong lane.

[kb2614]

Pub crawling could turn into a shocking experience if you stumble down the wrong lane.

[KangarooJacqui]

Vile.

Next they'll be doing this around the Sydney Opera House.

[Highest Authority]

Greenpeace is one of the terrorist organizations funded by the TIDES foundation which is partially financed by Scary Terry Kerry.

[dennisw]

Looks like UK has had no suicide bombings yet they're building a security fence around key parts of Parliament.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Wow, given how these buildings are so close to the street I can't imagine pulling off such a thing without detracting seriously from the ambiance of these great buildings. I was so glad to see Parliament and Big Ben last year up close from these streets, even if by taxi.

[OldFriend]

Oh, that splains Kerry's reference to the 'cathedral of trees' line in his speech.

[snopercod]

The main goal of governments around the world in this "war on terrorism" is to protect themsleves.

[Happygal]

I don't see how an electric fence will prevent an attack by Al Queda.

[Martin Wellbourne]

"I don't see how an electric fence will prevent an attack by Al Queda."

I walk past Parliament and over Westminster bridge most days and there are already a series of fences protecting the building from access by river and road. CCTV everywhere as well. Quite how this fence is going to stop someone firing a missile at the building from the street or the river is a puzzle - and frankly that is what they should worry about.

[Happygal]

Quite how this fence is going to stop someone firing a missile at the building from the street or the river is a puzzle - and frankly that is what they should worry about.

I'm inclined to agree.
A couple of idiot protestors absailing down the side of the building is the least of their worries, IMO.

[KangarooJacqui]

I don't see how an electric fence will prevent an attack by Al Queda.

Might make Sinn Fein think twice, though.

[Lazamataz]

A wise person would learn how to power his laptop computer from this fence, for free.

[Happygal]

I wonder if the electric fence will keep the 'sheep' out of parliament? ;-)

[Lazamataz]

Do Electric Sheep Dream of Androids?

[Capriole]

Talk about a "failure of imagination"! Can't the British imagine someone driving a ten-ton truck through their little electric fence and into the base of Big Ben? Does anyone think Big Ben will survive a truck bomb? 'Cause I don't. And if I can think of it, al Qaeda can think of it.

Why will God not destroy these slaves of Satan? Why does He permit thses human demons to exist?

[dead]

Big Ben would also be a trophy target for al Qaeda

Bells appear magical to the seventh century mind, therefore they are the work of the devil and must be destroyed.