Police erect ring of steel around Palma for summit

National Police were out in force yesterday throwing a ring of steel around the Majorcan capital ahead of the arrival of the European Union Environment Ministers. This weekend Palma is hosting an informal meeting of EU environment ministers and security in and around the capital is going to be on high alert. With thousands of protesters expected to swamp the city tomorrow evening, police are leaving nothing to chance and extra units have been arriving from the mainland since Wednesday. Special police divers spent yesterday checking Palma harbour while explosives experts checked above and below ground in the area around the five star Hotel Valparaiso where the European Union meeting is being held. Security at Palma airport and at the ferry terminals has been stepped up and police riot squads will not hesitate to stamp out any violence during tomorrow's demonstrations, which organisers have said will be peaceful.