December 4, 2019 4.35 pm This story is over 59 months old

Armed police and security review for Lincoln Christmas Market after London terror attack

Police are confident with the security arrangements in place

By Joseph Verney Local News Reporter

Lincolnshire Police has reviewed security measures for the 2019 Lincoln Christmas Market after the London Bridge terror attack last week where two people were killed.

With Lincoln Christmas Market due to begin on Thursday, December 5, police are ensuring security measures are even more robust for the 2019 event.

Officers will be walking about in pairs predominately throughout the day, with 15-20 around different areas of the market.

Armed officers will also be present at the market again and police will have a drone capability should it be needed.

Chief Superintendent at Lincolnshire Police Nikki Mayo. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Nikki Mayo, Chief Superintendent at Lincolnshire Police, told The Lincolnite: “We’ve reviewed our security in light of the tragic events at London Bridge on Friday and I’m really comfortable that it remains a real community policing event.”

She added: “It’s about engaging with members of the public, you’ll see officers walking around with tinsel on their hats, so I’d really encourage everyone to stop and have a chat with them, have their photo taken with them, they’ll all be in really good spirits.”

Over 200 stalls will line with the grounds of Lincoln Castle and the streets surrounding the cathedral, with between 230,000-250,000 people expected to pour into the Cathedral Quarter.

Lincoln Christmas Market Commander Simon Walters. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln Christmas Market Commander Simon Walters told The Lincolnite that there will be lots of new traders this year and people will visually see something different when they’re walking around.

He said: “We’re really excited that the Christmas Market is nearly here. We’ve spent a year planning for this event. We’ve had a team of staff from the beginning of January planning for this week.

“We are looking very closely at the weather day by day and the forecast is looking good. We are not anticipating any adverse weather over the weekend, but rest assured we do have plans in place for any kind of weather eventuality.”

The 2018 Lincoln Christmas Market made a loss of £82,380 , which the City of Lincoln Council put down to policing costs, low park and ride numbers and a freeze on stallholder prices.

Simon Walters said the Christmas Market makes a small operational surplus, but the city council passionately believes it should be a free event, adding: “We’re not in the business of charging people for coming so we have limited opportunities to generate an income, but first and foremost it’s all about the experience.”