LEADING figures behind Edinburgh's festival season have moved to ease the security fears of visitors amid heightened security measures in the wake of terrorist attacks in London and Manchester.

Anti-terror barriers have been installed across the city for the first time with security bollards deployed at central sites to prevent vehicles being driven into pedestrians.

Mounted police patrols will help monitor crowds while dog units will mingle among the throngs as a further deterrent.

Venue directors have indicated that bags may be checked while CCTV coverage will be expanded to new locations.

Fergus Linehan, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, said the security controls "might be more overt" that the city is used to."

He said: "A lot of it is common sense, because of what has happened [in London and Manchester], you cannot legislate for, but what you can legislate for is being a little bit more careful, in terms of stage door security and front of house security.

"Just across the piece there will be a real attention to detail about movements of people."

And he added: "What everyone is working on is taking great care in terms of exits and entrances to buildings.

"It might be a nuisance, but you don't want to be coming up from the station rolling a suitcase into the Usher Hall, we are going to have to be careful with that.

"In terms of just walking into foyers, people will be looking for your ticket, so it is relatively benign in that sense."

Ed Bartlam, co-director of the major Fringe venue Underbelly, said measures to protect the public have been reviewed following discussions with

police.

And he added that bins in many venues will be lined with clear plastic bags to determine whether there are concealed items which might pose a danger.

He added: "We have more security on, but it is mainly about vigilance.

"We are looking at doing some bag searches in key sites at key times.

"It's about all our staff being more vigilant – we reviewed all of our security arrangements and we are confident with them.

"We produce Pride, the second largest event in London, and it was extremely well policed and very safe event.

"We are doing some measures, we have put in some more CCTV, but it is a balance – there is no known immediate threat to the event, it is about being vigilant, and also re-assuring customers that we are taking it seriously, and carry on going out and having fun."

Superintendent Lesley Clark, of Police Scotland, called on visitors to "think about your safety".

"Think about your surroundings and, if you see anything of concern, if you don't think it's right, chances are it's not right," she said.

"The National Barrier Asset (NBA) is in place purely and simply because, as we know this is the 70th anniversary, there will be an increase in the number of tourists.

"We can see that already and the festival hasn't even begun.

"So it's just a sensible and proportionate way to provide additional security to a crowded place."

NBA includes high security gates, portals and barriers which are designed to prevent hostile vehicle attacks on key or busy crowded place locations.

Three command points where the public can access help and advice are located at The Mound, Princes Street Gardens and on the High Street next to the Fringe office.