The Americas



The US Secret Service is planning to attach a second layer of steel spikes to the top of the White House fence to keep would-be fence-jumpers out.

President Obama applauded the move to stand up to hackers.

White House to improve security. Image by Diego Cambiaso / CC BY-SA 2.0

The plan to improve security along the White House perimeter is described in a project proposal submitted by the National Park Service to the National Capitol Planning Commission.

The commission is expected to approve the plan at a hearing.

The half-inch steel spike additions will be snapped into place at the top of the fence and protrude outward, according to a diagram included in the proposal submitted for the Secret Service, which protects the president.

Changes to the fence are being made months after a man with a knife was able to climb over the barrier and run deep into the White House.

(Press Association)