Terror attack alert: US tourists warned of 'heightened risk' over Christmas in Britain
US OFFICIALS have issued travel warnings to tourists visiting Britain and the rest of Europe amid heightened fears of a Christmas terror attack.
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The warning on the State Department website says US citizens should be alerted to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks throughout Europe, particularly during the festive season.
It urges American tourists to take extra caution if visiting Yuletide events such as Christmas markets and festivals.
Security chiefs admit they fear a repeat of last December’s Christmas market attack in Berlin when ISIS extremist Anis Amri killed 12 people and injured more than 50 when he drove a truck into shoppers.
French police have revealed they foiled an ISIS terror cell planning to target Disneyland and a Christmas market on the Champs Elysees next month.
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The State Department remains concerned about the potential for future terrorist attacks
They said the jihadists were plotting to strike in Paris on Thursday December 1 and had also researched other sites including a police headquarters, Metro station and city centre cafes.
The US State Department warning says: “Widely-reported incidents in France, Russia, Sweden, the UK, Spain, and Finland demonstrate that ISIS and their affiliates have the ability to plan and execute terrorist attacks in Europe.
“Last year, mass casualty attacks occurred at a Christmas market in Berlin, Germany in December and a nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey on New Year’s Eve.
“While local governments continue counterterrorism operations, the State Department remains concerned about the potential for future terrorist attacks.
“US citizens should always be alert to the possibility that terrorist sympathisers or self-radicalised extremists may conduct attacks with little or no warning.”
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The travel advice says extremists continued to focus on tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets and shopping malls and local government facilities as viable targets.
It warns hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, high-profile events, educational institutions, airports, and other soft targets remain priority locations for possible attacks and urges US citizens to exercise additional vigilance in these locations.
The warning states: “Terrorists persist in employing a variety of tactics, including firearms, explosives, using vehicles as ramming devices, and sharp-edged weapons that are difficult to detect prior to an attack.
“If you are traveling between countries in Europe, please check the website of the US embassy or consulate in your destination city for any recent security messages.
“Review security information from local officials, who are responsible for the safety and security of all visitors to their host country.”
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Britain has already taken steps to bolster security at Christmas markets around the country.
Local councils have been told to remain vigilant and follow preventative measures drawn up by the government including the installation of bollards and blockades around busy public spaces.
Market staff and are also being given training by police under anti-terrorism initiative Project Griffin, teaching workers what to look out for and what to do in the aftermath of an attack.
London has been hit twice this year by terror attacks involving vehicles, on Westminster Bridge and London Bridge, and in response barriers separating traffic from pedestrians have been erected on three of the capital's bridges.
Similar measures will now be in place at major Christmas markets across the UK, including Manchester, Birmingham and London's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
