[Osem]

The point being that a van packed with explosives is a very different type of threat requiring a different type of response.

HMG is right to draw up plans for any such attack and I don't see this as an overreaction although I do see a element of PR at work. They must be seen to be doing something even if the truth is that there's an endless list of potential targets for gunmen (lone or otherwise) to choose and no way we can protect them all 24/7 with armed police/troops.

One thing is without doubt and that is when the inevitable happens, the Govt. will be blamed for not having done enough and we'll all start to see things a lot differently.