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UK police review security after attacks UK police review security after attacks
(35 minutes later)
UK police forces are reviewing security plans for public events after a lorry attack in Berlin killed 12 people.UK police forces are reviewing security plans for public events after a lorry attack in Berlin killed 12 people.
The Metropolitan Police said it already had "detailed plans" in place for the festive period but was reviewing them "as a precaution". Scotland Yard and Police Scotland said they were reviewing "detailed plans" for the festive period as a precaution following the attack and the shooting of a Russian ambassador in Turkey.
The move follows the Berlin attack and the killing of the Russian ambassador in Ankara, Turkey. Greater Manchester Police said they would also step up patrols.
Greater Manchester Police also said it would step up patrols and Police Scotland is assessing its plans. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Theresa May has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel the UK "stands ready to assist".
Prime Minister Theresa May has sent a message of condolence to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, telling her Britain "stands ready to assist in any way we can".
A Number 10 spokesman said there were "no plans" to change the UK's security level, which currently stands at "severe", meaning a terror attack is highly likely.A Number 10 spokesman said there were "no plans" to change the UK's security level, which currently stands at "severe", meaning a terror attack is highly likely.
A statement from Scotland Yard said it was considering a range of possible threats, including the use of large vehicles. A statement from Scotland Yard said it was considering a range of possible threats, including the use of large vehicles, following the "awful incidents" in Berlin and Ankara.
"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," the statement said.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was working with police to review plans and reassure people coming into the capital.Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was working with police to review plans and reassure people coming into the capital.
"Keeping everyone safe remains the highest priority for the Met commissioner and for me," he said. "Keeping everyone safe remains the highest priority for the Met commissioner and for me," he said. "All Londoners stand in solidarity with the people of Berlin today."
"We don't yet have the full details, but this appears to have been a horrific and cowardly act of terror. Greater Manchester Police said while there was "absolutely no information or intelligence suggesting any attack is imminent in Greater Manchester", more visible patrols would take place at almost 350 stalls across 10 sites.
"All Londoners stand in solidarity with the people of Berlin today - this was an attack on our shared values, freedoms and way of life," he added.
Greater Manchester Police said while there was "absolutely no information or intelligence suggesting any attack is imminent in Greater Manchester", officers would be visiting almost 350 stalls across 10 sites.
Assistant Chief Constable Debbie Ford, said: "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."
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".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".
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: "Our policing presence and posture will be appropriate to the latest information and current threat." The Association of Town and City Management, which represents UK market traders, said it would shortly be advising its members to understand the potential risks and threats, brief staff and businesses to stay vigilant and make sure procedures are in place if an attack occurs.
The Association of Town and City Management, which represents UK market traders, said it would shortly be advising its members to understand the potential risks and threats, brief staff, businesses and wider stakeholders on the need to be vigilant at all times, and make sure procedures are in place if an attack occurs.
Concrete barriers erectedConcrete barriers erected
In some cities, measures were put in place in the build-up to the festive period before Monday night's attack.In some cities, measures were put in place in the build-up to the festive period before Monday night's attack.
At Newcastle's Christmas market, armed police were pictured - causing a debate by smiling while posing with automatic weapons.At Newcastle's Christmas market, armed police were pictured - causing a debate by smiling while posing with automatic weapons.
Birmingham Christmas market also erected concrete barriers in an attempt to stop lorry attacks after a lorry drove into crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice in August, according to the Mirror.Birmingham Christmas market also erected concrete barriers in an attempt to stop lorry attacks after a lorry drove into crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice in August, according to the Mirror.
A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council, which represents senior police officers, 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.A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council, which represents senior police officers, 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.
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the bringing together of "emotive targets" like Christmas markets and a lorry attack was difficult to plan against.BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the bringing together of "emotive targets" like Christmas markets and a lorry attack was difficult to plan against.
"It is harder to protect people on the streets, especially if those streets can't be closed off," he said. "But if you have got a large truck, it is even harder to stop that as it can potentially get through some of the obstacles.""It is harder to protect people on the streets, especially if those streets can't be closed off," he said. "But if you have got a large truck, it is even harder to stop that as it can potentially get through some of the obstacles."
He also said the different type of attack, compared to more complex plans carried out by al Qaeda in the past, made it harder for security services to track.He also said the different type of attack, compared to more complex plans carried out by al Qaeda in the past, made it harder for security services to track.
"Plots that would involve people travelling to other countries to be trained, trying to get hold of explosives, trying to test or build those explosives; all of that offered opportunities for security services to spot them," he said."Plots that would involve people travelling to other countries to be trained, trying to get hold of explosives, trying to test or build those explosives; all of that offered opportunities for security services to spot them," he said.
"It is much harder if someone without communicating with anyone else that can be intercepted decides that they are going to carry out an attack like this, perhaps having just been inspired rather than having been in direct contact with so-called Islamic State.""It is much harder if someone without communicating with anyone else that can be intercepted decides that they are going to carry out an attack like this, perhaps having just been inspired rather than having been in direct contact with so-called Islamic State."
'Run, hide, tell''Run, hide, tell'
The National Police Chiefs' Council advised anyone caught up in an incident to:The National Police Chiefs' Council advised anyone caught up in an incident to:
The government has released new travel advice for going to Germany, warning about the high threat of terrorism.The government has released new travel advice for going to Germany, warning about the high threat of terrorism.
They have advised travellers to avoid the Christmas market area but said the German government was saying increased security has been put in place at public buildings, major events, transport hubs and large public gatherings.They have advised travellers to avoid the Christmas market area but said the German government was saying increased security has been put in place at public buildings, major events, transport hubs and large public gatherings.
In a message of support, Prime Minister Mrs May promised Mrs Merkel Britain would help "in any way we can".
But former UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the chancellor "ought to take responsibility for what's happened" because of her immigration policy, tweeting the event was part of the "Merkel legacy".
He received criticism for the comments, including from the widower of murdered MP Jo Cox, Brendan Cox.
On his LBC radio show, Mr Farage said: "I'm not against opening up our hearts and taking some refugees but, goodness me, we have to vet incredibly carefully."