Security outnumber visitors at Di fountain

[emad]

Security outnumber visitors at Di fountain
By Valentine Low, Evening Standard
12 October 2004

Here is a question for students of security-related matters. Which is the most heavily guarded establishment in the world? Is it: (a) Fort Knox; (b) The Tower of London; (c) The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain?

The answer, if this picture is anything to go by, is of course (c) - at least when it comes to number of guards per visitor guarded.
These chaps in blue uniforms are the "paddle police": security guards brought in to keep a watchful eye on visitors to the fountain after it reopened nearly eight weeks ago.

Hired from a private contractor, they were introduced to make sure no one fell on the slippery granite, repeating the embarrassing mishaps that marred the opening days of the Hyde Park landmark.

That was in July, when the £3.6 million memorial was attracting up to 5,000 people an hour. Now it is October. There is a chill in the air, made sharper by a brisk wind.
More:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/londonnews/articles/13970300?source=Evening%20Standard

And over £250,000 per annum to police this tawdry eyesore sewer....

[emad]

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