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Charlie Hebdo: UK steps up port security after shootings | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Security is being stepped up at UK ports and border controls following the shootings at the Paris office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that left 12 people dead. | |
There is not thought to be a direct threat to the UK, Downing Street said. | |
Silences have been held in tribute to the victims, who include two police officers and eight journalists. | |
Prime Minister David Cameron said the attack was a "challenge to our security" and "threat to our values". | |
Home Secretary Theresa May, speaking after chairing a meeting of UK government emergency committee Cobra, said the security moves were not put in place as a result of any specific intelligence and were a "precautionary" measure. | |
Mr Cameron has offered France "any assistance our intelligence agencies can give" after the shootings, which killed eight journalists, two police officers, a maintenance worker and a visitor to the Charlie Hebdo office. | |
As well as heightened security at UK ports, there will be a stronger British security presence at Calais and Gare du Nord. | |
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said: "Number 10 say the increased security will also involve more searches of trucks and cars at ferry ports together with additional scanning of freight lorries. | |
"An additional police officer has also been sent to join the UK's existing counter-terror team in Paris." | |
There is no evidence the Paris terrorists have any ties to the UK, he added. | |
Tributes have been paid to the victims at vigils in the UK and France, while French flags were flown at half-mast, including those at Downing Street and Whitehall, on Thursday. | |
MPs, peers and parliamentary staff gathered in Westminster Hall at noon to mark the silence. | |
UK police forces were also among those who took part in silences as a tribute to the French officers killed in Paris. | |
'Terrible reminder' | |
Sir Peter Fahy, vice-president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "All members of the British police forces are shocked at the savagery of this attack. | |
"In any democratic society it is the role of the police to protect basic human rights and our two French colleagues died protecting free speech." | |
The Queen has offered "sincere condolences" to victims and their families. | The Queen has offered "sincere condolences" to victims and their families. |
Andrew Parker, head of the security service MI5, is expected to say in a speech on Thursday: "It is too early for us to come to judgements about the precise details or origins of the attack, but it is a terrible reminder of the intentions of those who wish us harm." | |
At the scene | |
Emma Ailes, BBC News in Trafalgar Square | |
As the clock chimed 11 on Thursday, a small group of people quietly gathered in the pouring rain to mark the minute's silence. | |
Though there were not the crowds of the previous night's vigil, the emotion was just as raw. | |
Some French citizens now living in London were in shock at the horror that had unfolded in their home country. | |
But people of many nationalities were affected, as the handwritten messages at a makeshift memorial attested. | |
One woman had travelled from Wales because she felt she had to show her sorrow. | |
Some passers-by and tourists who stopped to look at the flowers and rain-sodden signs of "Je suis Charlie" were moved to tears. | |
Others dug out pens to lay as a spontaneous act of protest and solidarity. | |
It was too wet to light the candles that some had brought, but the minute's silence passed poignantly under umbrellas. | |
One French woman quoted her countryman Voltaire: "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." | |
A major manhunt has been launched for the gunmen. | |
Arrest warrants have been issued for Cherif Kouachi, 32, and his brother Said, 34, who police believe to be "armed and dangerous". | Arrest warrants have been issued for Cherif Kouachi, 32, and his brother Said, 34, who police believe to be "armed and dangerous". |
They are now said to have robbed a service station in the north of France. | |
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Thursday morning that several people had been detained as part of the search for the two men. He added that both suspects had been known to intelligence services. | French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Thursday morning that several people had been detained as part of the search for the two men. He added that both suspects had been known to intelligence services. |
Another suspect, Hamyd Mourad, 18, was named earlier in a police document, according to media reports. But it was later reported that he had handed himself in to police. | Another suspect, Hamyd Mourad, 18, was named earlier in a police document, according to media reports. But it was later reported that he had handed himself in to police. |
The weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo has courted controversy in the past with its irreverent take on news and current affairs. It was firebombed in November 2011 a day after it carried a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. | The weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo has courted controversy in the past with its irreverent take on news and current affairs. It was firebombed in November 2011 a day after it carried a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. |
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has accused UKIP leader Nigel Farage of trying to "make political points" for saying the attacks raised questions about what he called a "gross policy of multiculturalism". | |
The UK terror threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" earlier this year amid fears over the risk posed by Britons fighting with militants abroad. | The UK terror threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" earlier this year amid fears over the risk posed by Britons fighting with militants abroad. |