In an effort to prevent terror attacks the European Commission has presented its 11th Security Union Report, a set of operational and practical measures to better defend EU citizens.

Recent attacks in Barcelona, London, Manchester and Stockholm have shown that terrorist are increasingly targeting public spaces.

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced in his 2017 State of the Union Address that the measures aim to address vulnerabilities exposed by recent attacks and will support member states in protecting public spaces and help deprive terrorists of the means to act.

The proposals to better protect public spaces include increased financial support of €118.5m over the next year, new guidance material, forums for the exchange of best practices to help member states and improving co-operation between local actors and the private sector.

New measures to deprive terrorists of the means to act include restricting access to substances used to make home-made explosives, support for law enforcement and judicial authorities when they encounter encryption in criminal investigations.

The 11th Security Union Report is also looking at the next steps on countering radicalisation.

The EU has so far awarded €195m to 48 security research projects related to the protection of public spaces under the Seventh Framework Programme and Horizon 2020.

The Internal Security Fund (ISF) was set up for the period 2014 to 2020 to promote the achievement of an efficient and genuine Security Union, law enforcement co-operation, and management of the EU’s external borders.

The commission said it will also continue enhancing maritime transport security, as well as improve the protection of ports, container ships and passenger transport ships.

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