SENIOR police officers in York have urged city councillors to push on with plans to make the city safer in the face of a terrorist threat.

The city’s police commander, Superintendent Lindsey Robson, and Inspector Paul Mendham were at a council meeting as members talked about the need for more restrictions on vehicles in busy places.

Insp Mendham said although York faces no specific threat, the country’s threat level remains at severe, and could be raised to critical again.

Both the UK and the rest of Europe faced particular threats from “vehicle used as a weapon” attacks, and knife or machete attacks, he added.

Supt Robson said the force supported any measures the council could take to protect the public from vehicle attacks.

Councillors gave staff the go-ahead to start looking at specific measures around the city centre, the Minster and the racecourse - either by new traffic regulations or changing infrastructure.

Supt Robson said the force supported any measures the council could take to protect the public.