Britain dirty bomb THREAT: Spies say jihadis could launch Xmas dirty bomb attacks

SPIES have said that jihadis could launch a dirty bomb attack against Brits over the festive period.

By Patrick Williams /

Police GETTY

READY: Anti-terror police are ready on the streets

Intelligence chiefs believe it is a growing possibility after reports that radioactive material was stolen from hospitals in Syria.

One senior intelligence source said: “The dirty bomb is a crude but effective device. You basically strap a radioactive material to an explosive and when it detonates, it will cover a wide area with relatively low-grade but dangerous material.”

Meanwhile, armed police, undercover experts from the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and plain-clothed units from the SAS are being ordered on to the streets.

Rings of steel spring up around Christmas markets

 
Security at Christmas markets is raised over festive terror attack fears
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Yellow security arches have been installed outside popular tourist destination SWNS.com
Yellow security arches have been installed outside popular tourist destinations

    “The dirty bomb is a crude but effective device”

    Senior intelligence source

    And SAS snipers will watch over city centres on New Year’s Eve ready to take out any terrorists attempting attacks on revellers.

    Britain’s most senior spy Andrew Parker believes London and other major cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, could be threatened.

    It is understood that potential targets include Christmas markets and major shopping centres.

    Christmas market GETTY

    THREAT: It is understood that potential targets include Christmas markets

    British agents have also briefed business leaders and the heads of supermarkets to make sure their staff remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.

    Mr Parker, head of MI5, also told ministers during a briefing on security that they have an unprecedented number of UK-based “persons of interest”.

    A source added: “Parker was quite clear that his organisation could not stop every terror attack and it was only a matter of time before jihadis struck again.”