UK reviews security after Berlin lorry attack
Security is being reviewed across the UK following last night’s lorry crash at a Berlin Christmas market, in which 12 people are now known to have died.
Scotland Yard issued a statement this morning saying: "The Metropolitan Police has detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and New Year period.
"These already recognise that the threat level is at ‘severe’, meaning an attack is highly likely, and have considered a range of threats, including the use of large vehicles.
"As a matter of routine, as a precaution, we review our plans after attacks overseas, and we are doing so at present following the awful incidents in Berlin and Ankara last night."
Greater Manchester Police will also step up security with a more ‘visible policing operation in place around the Christmas Markets, in the city centre, and in other key areas across Greater Manchester in the run up to Christmas’, according to Assistant Chief Constable Debbie Ford.
She added: "We will be working in line with the national response and have strengthened our policing presence at the Manchester Christmas Markets and stepped up visible patrols, to ensure that people feel safe to go about their daily lives.
"I would like to stress at this point that there is absolutely no information or intelligence suggesting any attack is imminent in Greater Manchester."
Birmingham is also stepping up security around its Christmas markets, while the Road Haulage Association has told drivers to be extra vigilant after the Berlin attack.
It is believed the lorry was stolen from Poland and driven across the border.
In addition to the 12 who died, 48 are in hospital, some in a serious condition after the lorry crashed into crowds at the market near Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
German markets in Berlin will remain closed today out of respect for the victims, the interior ministry says. Other Christmas markets and large events will continue to take place across Germany and appropriate measures to increase security should be decided on site.
On Twitter. people are showing their solidarity by tweeting under the hashtag #ichbineineberliner, the phrase famously used by JFK in 1963.
The atrocity happened amid already tighter security around Christmas markets and other festive events around Europe, as reported by TravelMole earlier this month.
The Foreign Office told tourists to avoid the area around Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and follow the advice of local authorities.
"There is a high threat from terrorism. The German government has announced that increased security has been put in place as a precaution at public buildings, major events, transport hubs and large public gatherings," the FCO said.
The German police have issued a contact number, +49 30 540 23 111, for people concerned or who may have relevant information.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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