§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the value of the bans on cycle parking in central London for security purposes; and how many cycles have been used in terrorist offences since 1970;[126408]
(2) if he will discuss the ban on chaining cycles to railings outside public buildings in London with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis with a view to removing it.[126407]
§ Mr. StrawDiscussions have taken place with the Metropolitan Police and we are satisfied that the wide range of protective security measures taken by the police to improve security of the streets in light of current terrorist threats, have been devised and maintained solely to counter such threats. As the threat diminishes, so too will the need for restrictive security measures.
Bicycles have been used as a terrorist weapon in the United Kingdom on four occasions since 1970:
- 29 August 1985: Belfast
- 30 March 1990: Newry
- 13 August 1994: Bognor Regis
- 13 August 1994: Brighton