New security measures have been rolled out to protect key monuments in Rome in the wake of recent terrorist threats. Police have been put on high alert around the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Campidoglio, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona following the London bombings on 7 July. The entire area around St Peters Basilica, protected by metal detectors for some time now, is also being closely monitored. Surveillance systems have been upgraded, police are carrying out more checks and private security guards are visible in large numbers. At the Roman Forum, for example, entrances are lined with security personnel backed up by CCTV throughout the ruins, linked to a central control room. Police have increased patrols throughout the historic centre both on horseback and in plain clothes, while the area around the Colosseum has been reinforced with police and caribinieri on guard night and day. Concrete blocks have also been placed at the entrances to the Campidoglio and Quirinale, to protect key Italian dignitaries from vehicle-based suicide bombers.