At the time, the Harris Review made more than 100 recommendations, the vast majority of which have now been implemented, resulting in significant improvements to safety of the city…reports Asian Lite News.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has appointed Lord Toby Harris to complete a new and wide-ranging independent report into what could be done to improve London’s preparedness for a major terrorist incident.
The new review, which begins today, will consider the changing threat of terrorism facing London and any implications of the pandemic for London’s immediate and long-term preparedness for an attack.
Pleased to announce Lord Toby Harris will lead my review into London's terror preparedness. https://t.co/pqO8jkQntQ pic.twitter.com/T2TeGeWajD
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) May 27, 2016
In 2016, when Lord Harris published his Preparedness Review, commissioned by the Mayor, the backdrop of terrorism was shaped by marauding firearms attacks such as the terrible attacks at the Bataclan, Paris, and those in Brussels and Nice.
At the time, the Harris Review made more than 100 recommendations, the vast majority of which have now been implemented, resulting in significant improvements to safety of the city.
The final report will be delivered by the end of the year.
“Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe. Londoners have a right to expect us to be prepared for any potential attack on our city and that is why I have asked Lord Harris to undertake a fresh review into London’s preparedness,” Sadiq said.
“Whilst we have made some significant improvements since 2016, a lot has changed. The attacks on our city in 2017, the Manchester Arena bombing, and more recently, the attacks in Streatham and at Fishmongers’ Hall, means there’s much more to be learned. We know extremists are set on exploiting the uncertainty and hardship caused by the pandemic for their own gain and are adapting their tactics – including using the internet during lockdown to spread disinformation as well as attempting to radicalise the vulnerable to commit violent acts.
Lord Toby Harris said: “The nature of the terrorist threat has altered and we must also learn from the tragic events we have seen in London and elsewhere in the intervening five years. The purpose of this review is to take stock of where we are now and whether there are additional steps that should be taken to help ensure the safety of Londoners.”
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