Creating Images of Terrorist Risk and Security in Belfast and London. J. Coaffee, Geography Unit, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
Images of risk as mediated by representations of Peace Lines, sectarian murals, security cameras and the militarization of individual buildings have been commonplace in Belfast since the current 'Troubles' began in 1968/69. Such images have acquired new meanings as the perception of terrorist risk has altered over time. Perhaps the most visible manifestation of this change has been the evolution and subsequent dismantling of the security cordon or 'Ring of Steel' around central Belfast's shopping core. The cordon was first set up in 1972 to keep the car bombers at bay and was expanded and fortified as terrorist attacks reached their peak in the mid-1970s. It was not until the 1980s that a noticeable scaling down of security occurred as the terrorists increasingly began to attack the British mainland. As the threat level has decreased central Belfast has attempted to reimage itself through active promotion and planning. However images of risk are still present in the landscape through the symbolism of the past.
The change in terrorist tactics during the 1980s and 1990s led to a series of attacks against the British mainland culminating in the bombing of the City of London in 1992 and 1993. This subsequently led to the commercial insurers withdrawing terrorist clauses from their standard policies and, the setting up of a Belfast-style 'Ring of Steel' within the Square Mile to protect the City from further attack. As in Belfast the level of overt security in the City has fluctuated in relation to the perception of terrorist risk. Since the IRA ceasefire in 1994 the security presence had decreased substantially. However, earlier this year after the London Docklands bomb the full Ring of Steel was reactivated as the IRA resumed their mainland offensive. Indeed their is now talk of a Ring of steel for the Docklands itself to defend it from further attack.
This presentation considers the risk perceptions of the key decision makers concerned with producing and maintaining the 'Landscapes of Defence' in Belfast and London. In particular the response of the British Government and the commercial insurers to offer cover against terrorism and, the security forces reaction to terrorist attack is addressed.
The presentation will conclude by addressing
the permanence of these security measures around the City given
the upsurge in terrorism activity not just in Northern Ireland
but internationally. The City of London, due to its large array
of international businesses is now the prime target for a second
front in any conflict as most terrorist groups realise that attacks
here would make headlines around the world. I will also consider
the possibility of the reactivation of the Ring of Steel around
central Belfast if the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland intensify.