SHAN ROSS

THE first sections of the five-mile-long "ring of steel" security barrier that will protect world leaders at the G8 summit went up around Gleneagles yesterday.

The six-feet-high cordon will be made up of 10,000 wire mesh panels which will cost £1 million, police confirmed last night.

The fence will completely encompass the complex and its grounds in an attempt to keep out the thousands of activists from the UK and Europe who are expected to travel to the area to protest against issues such as world poverty, global warming and the war in Iraq.

Last night anti-capitalist groups described the latest security measure as "symbolic" but said it would not deter the major protest march on 6 July, the opening day of the summit, which will be attended by Tony Blair, George Bush, Vladimir Putin and other G8 heads of government.

Tayside Police Assistant Chief Constable Willie Bald said: "The fence is one element of the security measures being put in place at the venue for the G8 summit and part of a comprehensive policing operation which will prevent unauthorised access to the venue."

"It clearly outlines the secure boundary lines which will be policed and where powers of arrest can be used if anyone attempts to get through the fencing."

Ian Hood, an organiser with Globalise Resistance, said he witnessed tear gas attacks at the Genoa G8 conference fence in 2001 and said the construction of such a massive structure sent out a threatening message.

"This fence is a symbolic act by rich and powerful world leaders having to hide themselves away by creating a barrier between themselves and the rest of the world.

"It is hard to imagine nearly £1 million being spent on such a sinister structure when you consider thousands of people will die of starvation throughout the world during the duration of the summit."

Robin Harper, co-leader of the Scottish Green Party, also criticised the construction of the steel fence. He said: "There is a symbolism in that successive G8 conferences in the past have not managed to solve Africa's ills, resulting in a situation where the G8 in Gleneagles will be held in a state of virtual siege. It is also a sign they are feeling the pressure."

Mr Bald said summit organisers had consulted with Scottish Natural Heritage to ensure the fence - which is being hired from and constructed by Nottinghamshire-based company Trax Portable Access Ltd at a cost of £870,000 - created no risk of environmental damage.

CCTV systems will also be put in place around Gleneagles and police patrols will be stepped up as the work on the cordon continues.

Group 4 Securicor will provide a security presence until police take overall control when the fence is completed in just under six weeks time.

Lothian and Borders Police have said they plan to erect an 8ft tall steel fence around both the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse during the G8 summit.