Forces step up security in wake of Berlin truck massacre

Police forces in Britain have stepped up patrols at Christmas markets across the country after the tragic events in Berlin sparked fears of copycat terrorist attacks.

Security plans are being reviewed in the wake of Monday`s (December 19) atrocity in the German capital that claimed 12 lives and left dozens more injured.

Greater Manchester Police said it had strengthened its presence monitoring ten festive markets with almost 350 stalls across the city.

Fears have been raised that similar events could be at risk, including London`s Winter Wonderland fair in Hyde Park and the Southbank Winter festival.

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the capital`s New Year`s Eve fireworks display, while Christmas sales attract huge crowds in towns and cities across the country.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) spoke about its “detailed plans for protecting public events over Christmas and new year” and admitted an attack with a large vehicle had already been considered as a possible scenario prior to the Berlin lorry massacre.

“We have detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and new year period. As a matter of routine we review our plans after attacks overseas, and we are doing so at present following the awful incidents in Berlin and Ankara,” the MPS said.

The security uplift came as the London Mayor Sadiq Khan, seeking to reassure residents and those visiting the capital, said: “Keeping everyone safe remains the highest priority for the Met commissioner and for me.”

Roads around Buckingham Palace will be closed during the changing of the guard as part of a tightening of security in the wake of the Berlin market attack.

From Wednesday (December 21), surrounding roads will be shut from 10.45am to 12.30pm on the days of the ceremony.

After the Berlin tragedy, 11 UK police forces confirmed the deployment of anti-terrorist squads at Christmas markets, shopping centres and other tourist hotspots until the end of the season – with a mission to carry out “hostile reconnaissance” and spot suspicious activities.

In some UK cities, extra security measures had already been put in place – even before Monday night`s attack.

At Newcastle`s Christmas market, armed officers were photographed – causing a debate by smiling while posing with automatic weapons.

Birmingham`s German-themed Christmas market also put up concrete barriers in an attempt to stop lorry attacks after a vehicle drove into crowds celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice in July.

Armed officers were seen guarding the nativity scene at Canterbury Cathedral – the headquarters of the Anglican Church throughout the world.

Meanwhile, Police Scotland said it had “no intelligence at this time to suggest a threat to any specific event in Scotland” but would review its detailed plans “against the impact of incidents”.

And GMP Assistant Chief Constable Debbie Ford said she wished to “stress at this point that there is absolutely no information or intelligence suggesting any attack is imminent in Greater Manchester”.

A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs` Council said it made sure that the activities and intelligence of the council were “under constant review to respond to threats” and any information would be shared while a Downing Street statement noted: “The safety and security of British citizens is the Government’s number one priority.

“Clearly in the light of what has happened in Berlin, police will be reviewing what is in place.”

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson revealed official travel advice for Britons heading abroad will give greater details to terror attacks.