Sagrada Família church tightens security

Barcelona’s Sagrada Família church has begun the New Year by tightening security. One of the Catalan capital’s most popular landmarks has installed 10 new walk-through metal detectors and scanners and has employed 12 more security guards.

The thousands of people who visit the church every day will have to pass security controls aimed at preventing the entry of objects that could be used as weapons. The measures bring the security plan that the church authorities began 18 months ago to a close.

The six scanners for individuals and four more for groups will manage 1,500 visitors every hour, and can handle up to 4,000 people every half hour on days of religious celebration that attract larger numbers, according to the church’s head of security on Wednesday.

The final tests of the detectors took place at the end of December, with the scanners becoming fully functional on January 1. The measures have cost two million euros and have required the employment of 12 people, raising the total number of security staff to 40.

The installation of the scanners follows security measures adopted outside the church, such as fixed street barriers and certain vehicle restrictions. A number of streets around the church have been cut off for all traffic except local residents and emergency vehicles.