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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/20/met-police-reviewing-london-security-plans-after-berlin-attack
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| UK police forces reviewing security plans after Berlin attack | UK police forces reviewing security plans after Berlin attack |
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| Police forces across Britain are reviewing their security plans following the Berlin Christmas market attack and remain on high alert. | Police forces across Britain are reviewing their security plans following the Berlin Christmas market attack and remain on high alert. |
| The threat level in London remains at “severe”, meaning the police consider an attack highly likely, the Metropolitan police said in a statement on Tuesday. | The threat level in London remains at “severe”, meaning the police consider an attack highly likely, the Metropolitan police said in a statement on Tuesday. |
| Greater Manchester police, meanwhile, said they have strengthened their presence at Christmas markets across the city. | Greater Manchester police, meanwhile, said they have strengthened their presence at Christmas markets across the city. |
| Scotland Yard said an attack with a large vehicle, such as the lorry used to kill 12 people in Berlin on Monday, had already been considered by police as a possible scenario. | Scotland Yard said an attack with a large vehicle, such as the lorry used to kill 12 people in Berlin on Monday, had already been considered by police as a possible scenario. |
| “The Metropolitan police has detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and New Year period … 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 Met said. | “The Metropolitan police has detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and New Year period … 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 Met said. |
| Large numbers of people will be in London around the festive period as shoppers head to the capital for the post-Christmas sales, while more than 100,000 revellers are expected to attend the New Year’s Eve fireworks display. | Large numbers of people will be in London around the festive period as shoppers head to the capital for the post-Christmas sales, while more than 100,000 revellers are expected to attend the New Year’s Eve fireworks display. |
| The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, sought to reassure Londoners and visitors to the city that the Met would review its security plans in light of Monday night’s events, saying that “keeping everyone safe remains the highest priority for the Met commissioner and for me”. | The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, sought to reassure Londoners and visitors to the city that the Met would review its security plans in light of Monday night’s events, saying that “keeping everyone safe remains the highest priority for the Met commissioner and for me”. |
| He said: “My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the awful suspected attack on Berlin last night, particularly those who were injured, the families and friends of those who were killed and all the emergency responders. | He said: “My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the awful suspected attack on Berlin last night, particularly those who were injured, the families and friends of those who were killed and all the emergency responders. |
| “We don’t yet have the full details, but this appears to have been a horrific and cowardly act of terror. All Londoners stand in solidarity with the people of Berlin today – this was an attack on our shared values, freedoms and way of life.” | “We don’t yet have the full details, but this appears to have been a horrific and cowardly act of terror. All Londoners stand in solidarity with the people of Berlin today – this was an attack on our shared values, freedoms and way of life.” |
| In Manchester, police said they had strengthened their presence at the city’s Christmas markets, which have almost 350 stalls spread across 10 sites. | In Manchester, police said they had strengthened their presence at the city’s Christmas markets, which have almost 350 stalls spread across 10 sites. |
| Asst Ch Con Debbie Ford said the police forces already had a visible operation in place around the markets and in other key areas across Greater Manchester in the run-up to Christmas. | Asst Ch Con Debbie Ford said the police forces already had a visible operation in place around the markets and in other key areas across Greater Manchester in the run-up to Christmas. |
| She 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. | She 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. |
| “I would like to stress at this point that there is absolutely no information or intelligence suggesting any attack is imminent in Greater Manchester. If you do have any concerns at all don’t hesitate to get in touch with police.” | “I would like to stress at this point that there is absolutely no information or intelligence suggesting any attack is imminent in Greater Manchester. If you do have any concerns at all don’t hesitate to get in touch with police.” |
| Dave Thompson, the chief constable of West Midlands police, tweeted that the force would be reviewing its plans following the “terrible events” in Berlin. | Dave Thompson, the chief constable of West Midlands police, tweeted that the force would be reviewing its plans following the “terrible events” in Berlin. |
| Terrible events in #Berlin last night. We always review events carefully to assess the protection we have in place for our communities. | Terrible events in #Berlin last night. We always review events carefully to assess the protection we have in place for our communities. |
| Birmingham’s Christmas market – which claims to be the largest outside Germany and Austria – had concrete barriers installed to counter terrorist attacks like that in Nice in July, when a 19-tonne cargo truck was driven into crowds celebrating Bastille Day. | Birmingham’s Christmas market – which claims to be the largest outside Germany and Austria – had concrete barriers installed to counter terrorist attacks like that in Nice in July, when a 19-tonne cargo truck was driven into crowds celebrating Bastille Day. |
| It is estimated that 5.5 million people will visit the market before it closes on 29 December. A West Midlands police spokesman said: “Our officers worked alongside colleagues from Birmingham city council to plan this year’s annual Frankfurt Christmas market. | It is estimated that 5.5 million people will visit the market before it closes on 29 December. A West Midlands police spokesman said: “Our officers worked alongside colleagues from Birmingham city council to plan this year’s annual Frankfurt Christmas market. |
| “As part of this, a number of security measures were agreed before the market opened, including installing some concrete bollards at a number of locations.” | “As part of this, a number of security measures were agreed before the market opened, including installing some concrete bollards at a number of locations.” |
| Supt Andy Parsons said the installation of the bollards had formed part of the original security plan and was not a result of any new or specific intelligence. | Supt Andy Parsons said the installation of the bollards had formed part of the original security plan and was not a result of any new or specific intelligence. |
| “It is a busy time of year for the city and we want to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for everyone who visits over the festive period,” he said. “Police will be working closely with market security staff to share information and to reassure people that there is an adequate police response available if needed. | “It is a busy time of year for the city and we want to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for everyone who visits over the festive period,” he said. “Police will be working closely with market security staff to share information and to reassure people that there is an adequate police response available if needed. |
| “Our policing tactics and security measures are constantly reviewed and we, along with our partners, are working around the clock to keep our cities as safe as can be.” | “Our policing tactics and security measures are constantly reviewed and we, along with our partners, are working around the clock to keep our cities as safe as can be.” |
| A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “The festive season is a particularly busy time for the city and we would, as with any other time, ask people to remain vigilant. There is a tried and tested policing plan in place to police our city to ensure residents and visitors feel safe.” | |
| Earlier this month, Northumbria police were criticised by shoppers for the presence of armed police at Newcastle’s Christmas market. Visitors complained on social media that officers with guns should not be at an event with so many children. | Earlier this month, Northumbria police were criticised by shoppers for the presence of armed police at Newcastle’s Christmas market. Visitors complained on social media that officers with guns should not be at an event with so many children. |
| Nic King wrote on Facebook: “I don’t want to see guns the size of my child when Christmas shopping and these images have put me off going into Newcastle.” Northumbria police said the armed officers served to reassure the public. | Nic King wrote on Facebook: “I don’t want to see guns the size of my child when Christmas shopping and these images have put me off going into Newcastle.” Northumbria police said the armed officers served to reassure the public. |
| Police Scotland said its plans were being assessed after the events in Berlin. Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins said: “Police Scotland has detailed plans in place to ensure the safety of the public at a wide range of festive and major events. All plans are kept under constant review and are assessed against the impact of incidents which take place elsewhere including Berlin. | Police Scotland said its plans were being assessed after the events in Berlin. Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins said: “Police Scotland has detailed plans in place to ensure the safety of the public at a wide range of festive and major events. All plans are kept under constant review and are assessed against the impact of incidents which take place elsewhere including Berlin. |
| “There is no intelligence at this time to suggest a threat to any specific event in Scotland. Our policing presence and posture will be appropriate to the latest information and current threat. The UK threat level remains at severe and people should remain alert at all times but not alarmed. Any suspicious activity should be reported. | “There is no intelligence at this time to suggest a threat to any specific event in Scotland. Our policing presence and posture will be appropriate to the latest information and current threat. The UK threat level remains at severe and people should remain alert at all times but not alarmed. Any suspicious activity should be reported. |
| “Police Scotland works with a wide range of partners including the UK counter-terrorism network to ensure people can go about their lives safely and securely at all times, including during the festive period when our main centres may be far busier than normal.” | “Police Scotland works with a wide range of partners including the UK counter-terrorism network to ensure people can go about their lives safely and securely at all times, including during the festive period when our main centres may be far busier than normal.” |
| A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “The UK threat level remains unchanged at Severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. Our activities and intelligence are under constant review to respond to threats and we will share information appropriately with partners and relevant business sectors. | |
| “Our principle advice to the public all year round is to be alert but not alarmed. We advise everyone to remain vigilant and to report any concerns to the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, always dial 999.” |