THERE has been a mixed reaction to anti-terrorist barriers being used in Worcester city centre.

The Surface Guard barriers were installed in Cathedral Square ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on last Thursday.

The barriers, which can stop a 2,500kg vehicle travelling at 30 miles-per-hour, are designed to thwart ramming attacks, such as the one on London Bridge last year.

They remain up this week for the Victorian Fayre. They will also be in The Cross, Broad Street, Copenhagen Street, Trinity Street, Friar Street, Charles Street and Angel Place from Wednesday to December 3, for the pre-Christmas event.

David Blake, managing director of Worcester City Council, said although they were not aware of any specific threats, the authority was putting up barriers "as an extra precaution".

In response to the story Mikeworcs wrote on the Worcester News website: "Good investment. You can't put a price on protecting the public.

"It's just a shame that there aren't permanent protective measures in place for all of those areas. It's not as if the risk disappears outside of the festive period."

Natalie Anne said: "What a sad world we live in when this needs to be implemented, but better safe than sorry."

Mollee Stone said: "What a waste of money, surely our homeless and vulnerable people of the city deserve a warm safe place to stay, rather than this, I appreciate we need to keep everyone safe, but my god what a waste."

Evette Close said: "Really in Worcester. Waste of money", and Pete Bevan commented: "What the hell? Yes let’s just terrify the population that’ll do it."

But Emma Canning said: "£32000 or someone's life. Well done to the council for being proactive, better to be safe than sorry.

"The people commenting it’s a waste of money will be the first ones to criticise the council if there was an issue."

Ben Cale said: "How many terrorist attacks do we get in Worcester? Oh yeah none what’s the point in these and why did they cost 32 grand."

Kelly Crump added: "How can people be angry? You would be thinking differently if an attack happened here. It can happen anywhere at any time.

" I think its great to have in place and makes people feel safe."