City carnival axed amid fears over vehicle attack

Street festival too vulnerable to Vancouver-style tragedy

- ROBSON MCCALLISTER News Reporter

HARBORNE Carnival has been cancelled after an extensive security review found it could be vulnerable to a marauding vehicle attack.

While 'no specific threat' was identified, organisers made the decision due to 'elevated national threat levels and stringent new security requirements' following a string of attacks at public events around the world.

The decision marks another cancellation in the calendar after Birmingham's St Patrick's Day Parade was postponed in March.

In a meeting with Birmingham City Council's Safety Advisory Group, organisers were asked how they could 'mitigate' the risk of a major incident.

One potential vulnerability to a marauding vehicle attack was the open side streets along the route, identified as a concern during the meeting.

Harborne Carnival chairman Paul Burgess confirmed organisers would be exploring new locations and formats for next year.