Security stepped up in York after terror attack

High-visibility officers hope to provide a reassuring presence in the public areas, while visitors may be asked to allow their bags to be searched before entering.

Meanwhile, a candle has been lit in the courtyard of St Martin, on Coney Street, York to remember those who died, were injured and all who are affected by the events, and a prayer vigil will be held on Friday at noon in St Martin, Coney Street. 

People are being invited to use the Facebook prayer and photo on York City Centre Churches page @york.city.centre.churches

York Minster’s Head of Security, Mark Sutcliffe said: “Security arrangements at York Minster are constantly under review. We are particularly fortunate in that we have our own trained Minster Police officers on duty all day, every day. We also keep in close contact with North Yorkshire Police.

“Following the tragic events in London yesterday we have stepped up our high visibility Minster Police patrols to provide reassurance to visitors in our public areas.

“Visitors carrying bags and other items may be asked to allow us to search them before entry. We hope to keep any inconvenience to a minimum.

“We want to reassure visitors to the Minster that their safety is our priority and that it remains a very safe place to visit.”

At Evensong yesterday, as reports of the attack started to come through, The Rev’d Canon Dr Christopher Collingwood, Canon Chancellor, included the following prayer: “We pray for all those currently caught up in the terrorist incident in Westminster.

"Gracious and Loving God, we hold in the depths of our hearts and in the stillness of your presence those for whom our prayers are asked. Grant that your Holy Spirit of love may strengthen them in all circumstances, enable them to trust in the goodness of your purpose, and lead them into the fullness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Prayers reflecting on the incident will be said at services over the coming days.

Councillor David Carr, leader of City of York Council, said: “The terror attack in London was an attack on us all.

“We will not let hatred, or those who wish to divide us, succeed.

“The people of York stand together with London.

“We extend our condolences and sympathy to all those caught up in yesterday’s atrocity."

The Islamic State terror group has claimed that the Westminster attacker was one of its "soldiers".

The man, a British citizen who was known to the police and security services, had been investigated some years ago over violent extremism.

Prime Minister Theresa May told MPs he was a "peripheral" figure, adding: "He was not part of the current intelligence picture."

Delivering a defiant message to a packed House of Commons, Mrs May said: "We will never waver in the face of terrorism."

A statement released through IS's Aamaq news agency said the attacker was a "soldier of the Islamic State".

The Prime Minister addressed MPs as they gathered at the usual time inside the Palace of Westminster, which a day earlier had come under attack from the knife-wielding terrorist. 

An hour after MPs had stood for a minute's silence in honour of the innocent people killed in the attack, Mrs May delivered a statement with details of the atrocity.

Paying tribute to Pc Keith Palmer, who died after being stabbed, she said: "He was every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten."

Describing the terrorist, Mrs May said: "What I can confirm is that the man was British-born and that some years ago he was once investigated by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism. He was a peripheral figure.

"The case is historic. He was not part of the current intelligence picture. There was no prior intelligence of his intent or of the plot."

Anti-terror police have arrested eight people in the wake of the attack.
Several addresses were raided overnight in London and Birmingham as Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police's senior anti-terror officer, said he believed the attacker was working alone.

A minute's silence was held nationwide at 9.33am, including in the Palace of Westminster and at New Scotland Yard, to commemorate the three innocent people who were killed.
The timing of the silence was chosen in honour of Pc Palmer's shoulder number - 933.

Aysha Frade was the first member of the public to be identified as a victim, with her principal at DLD College London describing her as "highly regarded and loved".

Forty other people were injured in the attack, with 29 treated in hospital, where seven remained in a critical condition on Thursday.

The casualties included 12 Britons, three French children, two Romanians, four South Koreans, two Greeks, and one each from Germany, Poland, Ireland, China, Italy and the United States. Three police officers were also hurt, two of them seriously.

At the scene of one of the police raids, a flat in Hagley Road, Birmingham, one witness told the Press Association: "The man from London lived here."