York’s Christmas Market is vulnerable to an attack which could kill and injure several people, the county’s police chief said today.
And the Minster is the only Tier One terrorist target outside of London.
Chief Constable Tim Forber said the force was determined to deter such an attack which is why it had requested an Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) during the event.
This will bar disabled drivers from the city centre during the nearly six weeks of the market. But police say they will work with those affected by the restrictions to minimise the disruption.
The chief constable’s comments come amid a backlash against the measures from disabled people and concerns raised by senior York councillors warning they cast doubts on future Christmas markets.
City of York Council’s executive approved his request for the order during the event from Thursday, 13 November to Saturday, 21 December
It prohibits all vehicles except for those belonging to the emergency services from streets inside the anti-terror bollards from 10am to 7pm.
This year’s restrictions come after a similar ban set to be brought in during the 2024 market was eased to allow Blue Badge access during the evening.
Police counter-terror advice was also behind the blanket ban on Blue Badge vehicles entering York from 2021 until the Labour administration overturned it in 2023 following a campaign.
But North Yorkshire Police has since been given powers to draw up and request ATTROs, the refusal of which would be legally unprecedented according to council officials.
Minster a Tier One target
The need to protect York Minster, which is the only site outside London designated as a Tier One site for terrorism, was cited by the force as one of the reasons for the measures.
They are one element of the broader police operation planned during the market in line with Counter Terror Policing’s Project Servator deployment to try and stop attacks.
North Yorkshire Police Chief Inspector Ryan Chapman told the council’s executive last night (Tuesday): “In recent years, we have witnessed vehicles within the HMV area that were either static or moving within the area and therefore assumed to be Blue Badge holders.
“This creates an obvious risk on the basis that an intended terrorist could easily obtain such a pass if minded to do so.
“We take the view that the actual should have been in place previous years to mitigate this threat.”
But council Labour Leader Cllr Claire Douglas said they had effectively been left with no choice but to approve the request in the interests of public safety.
Councillors heard there could be legal consequences for the authority if an attack took place after it refused the request, including potential corporate manslaughter charges.
Officials are set to try and find ways to lessen the impact of restrictions on those affected including Blue Badge holders and other vehicles requiring access to the city centre.
Labour council deputy leader Cllr Pete Kilbane said the long-term future of the Christmas Market would be in doubt if a solution could not be found.
He added the event had been perfectly safe when some access was granted to Blue Badge holders last year and asked where restrictions affecting large gatherings would end.
Enhance safety
Speaking following yesterday’s decision, Chief Constable Forber said they were aware the restrictions would cause issues for groups such as Blue Badge holders.
But he added the disruption would enhance safety and security during the event and pointed to attacks targetting Christmas markets in mainland Europe to show why they were necessary.
The chief constable said: “York Council and North Yorkshire Police work in partnership throughout the year to ensure the safety and security of residents and visitors in the city.
“This is especially so for the large gathering of people enjoying the Christmas Market, which national counter-terrorism experts deem vulnerable to vehicle-related terrorist attacks resulting in multiple deaths and serious injuries.
“We have seen such deplorable incidents unfold on mainland Europe in recent years and we are determined to do all we can to mitigate the risk and deter such attacks in York.”
