PESHAWAR, July 11: Police on Monday tightened security measures around the British Council here and issued a “new security order” following reports of an arson attack on a mosque in north-west London a few days ago. The measures were taken at the behest of the British Council authorities here, a senior police official said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Saeed Khan Wazir told Dawn that security was heightened in the city to avert any untoward incident in the wake of last Saturday’s attack on the Shah Jamal mosque in the British capital.

The British Council has also increased the number of private security guards at the main gate and asked the security company to increase patrolling on roads leading to the council in the posh University Town area.

“We have increased the SMS security company guards and asked the company to keep check on people around the British Council following the London blasts,” Administration Office Naveed said.

Police officials said they were already providing security to the British Council and other foreigners living in Peshawar. But under the current circumstances, it was important to increase security particularly for the British Council and British nationals living in Peshawar, the SSP said.

Mr Wazir added that the police personnel in plain clothes were also deployed in area for strict vigil.