Police forces across Britain are reviewing their security plans after the Berlin Christmas market attack and remain on high alert.
The threat level in London remains at “severe”, meaning an attack is considered highly likely, the Metropolitan police said on Tuesday.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The safety and security of British citizens is the government’s number one priority. Clearly in the light of what has happened in Berlin, police will be reviewing what is in place.”
Theresa May sent a message of condolence to the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, on Monday night. “She expressed that her thoughts are with the people of Berlin and we stand ready to assist in any way we can,” a spokesman said.
Greater Manchester police said they had strengthened their presence at Christmas markets across the city.
Scotland Yard said an attack with a large vehicle had already been considered as a possible scenario prior to the Berlin lorry attack.
“The Metropolitan police has detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and new year period. As a matter of routine … 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 Met also said it would it be bringing forward enhanced security measures for the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, with the ceremony set to take place on Thursday and then again on Christmas Eve. The Met said it would be implementing road closures during the ceremonies.
Large numbers of people will be in London around the festive period as post-Christmas sales start, while more than 100,000 revellers are expected to attend the New Year’s Eve fireworks display on the banks of the Thames.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, sought to reassure Londoners and visitors that the Met would review its security plans in light of Monday night’s events. “Keeping everyone safe remains the highest priority for the Met commissioner and for me,” he said.
Khan added: “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.”
Britain’s experience of Islamist terrorists using vehicles to stage attacks dates back to 2007, when a car was driven into Glasgow airport in an attempted suicide bombing.
So-called “hostile vehicle mitigation measures” have been in place for several years.
The threat to Christmas events and shoppers is seen by UK counter-terrorism officials as part of the severe threat level Britain faces.
Nothing seen so far in Isis propaganda, which has inspired previous attacks, has urged plots targeting Christmas events. But there are calls for attacks against westerners at any time of the year.
Counter-terrorism officials believe an attack against the UK is highly likely, in keeping with the current threat level. They are understood to be tracking and investigating plots they fear may be attempts to cause mass casualties in Britain.
In Manchester, police said they had strengthened their presence at the city’s Christmas markets, which have almost 350 stalls spread across 10 sites.
Assistant chief constable Debbie Ford said police already had a visible operation in place around the markets and in other key areas.
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.”
Dave Thompson, chief constable of West Midlands police, tweeted:
Terrible events in #Berlin last night. We always review events carefully to assess the protection we have in place for our communities.
— Dave Thompson (@DaveThompsonCC) December 20, 2016
Birmingham’s Christmas market, which claims to be the largest outside Germany and Austria, had concrete barriers installed to guard against 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: “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 bollards were part of the original security plan and not a result of any 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. “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.”
North Yorkshire police said their plans were constantly under review, and road closures and increased patrols were in place to protect people around York Christmas market and pedestrianised areas.
A Merseyside police spokesperson asked people to remain vigilant during the festive season but added that police had a plan to ensure people’s safety.
This month Northumbria police were criticised by shoppers for the presence of armed officers 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.
Police Scotland said their 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.
“There is no intelligence at this time to suggest a threat to any specific event in Scotland. Any suspicious activity should be reported. Police Scotland work 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.”
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for protective security, deputy assistant commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, said it was “routine” to review and assess security measures following incidents like the attacks in Germany.
“I would like to reassure everyone that the police, along with the security and intelligence services, are tirelessly working together to deal with the terrorist threat to keep the public safe,” she said.
