Security at Canterbury’s police station is set to get beefed up in response to the nation’s high threat level.

Police chiefs have submitted plans to the city council to upgrade their base on Old Dover Road with a taller steel boundary fence and 15 new floodlights.

The application from Kent’s police and crime commissioner, Matthew Scott, comes as the UK’s international terrorism threat remains at severe – meaning an attack is highly likely.

It was rated critical last year, the highest possible level, after a spate of attacks.

Police spokesperson Amanda Wills said: “Kent Police regularly reviews its estate to ensure it is fit for purpose. This planning application to upgrade site fencing reflects the current national threat level.”

If approved by councillors, the new fence will be 2.4 metres in height and made from galvanised steel. It will replace the current less secure boundary which is constructed from a mixture of timber, wire mesh and bricks.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield said: “I am not surprised the police station in Canterbury is looking to review and update their facilities.

“I met with the police and crime commissioner for Kent on Tuesday and he assured me these proposals for fencing and floodlights at Canterbury police station were needed and based on independent security advice they had received.

“The city council will, I’m sure, look carefully at the planning application to ensure that light spillage into nearby properties from the floodlights is negligible.”

The 15 six-metre floodlights in the station’s car park will remain switched on every night of the year.

Engineering firm Atkins, who have drawn up the plans, say the lights are designed to create minimal light pollution for neighbours.

Meanwhile, the current double gated entrance to the station will be kept and brick wall boundaries at the east and south sides of the site retained.

But a number of trees and undergrowth are earmarked to be removed in a second application.

To view the plans for the heightened security, search CA//18/00013 on the city council’s planning site.