City security vital - new Lord Mayor

THE personal security of City workers must be safeguarded to attract big business to the Square Mile, according to the new Lord Mayor of London.

Robert Finch believes 'security, security, security' is the key issue that must be addressed to convince foreign companies to base themselves in the City.

Finch, 59, who formally takes power on 7 November as ceremonial head of the Corporation of London, told the London Evening Standard 'the jury is out' on whether the City had done all it could to deal with the threat of terrorist action.

But, he insisted, many companies had learned the lessons of May Day anti-capitalist riots and IRA bombs and upgraded their security systems.

'We have now got all sorts of surveillance cameras and other safety devices, which work pretty well. I think City businesses are increasingly aware of the need for safety and security,' Finch said.

A commercial property lawyer - a partner in Linklaters, a City law firm with 27 offices around the world - he lives in Wimbledon and travels by train to his office opposite the Barbican.