Vehicle terror attack fears raised after shoppers targeted in France
Vehicle terror attack fears raised after shoppers targeted in France
Fears have been raised that Islamist extremists could launch opportunist attacks in crowded spaces over Christmas following three incidents in France in the past four days. A van burst into a Christmas market in the western city of Nantes on Monday night, injuring 10 people before the driver reportedly began stabbing himself. On Sunday night, in the eastern city of Dijon, a driver reportedly shouting "God is great" in Arabic ran down several people, injuring 13 before coming to a stop.
We can’t put bollards up outside all the shops in Oxford Street, but there are extra protective measures that can be taken.
A senior Whitehall source speaking to the Times
Those incidents came after an attacker knifed three police in Tours on Saturday before he was shot dead by one of the officers. The French government has denied any links between the attacks but announced plans to further raise security in public spaces, including the deployment of around 300 soldiers. British security services have been in close contact with the French, according to sources quoted in The Times. A senior Whitehall source told the newspaper the police focus, until the incidents in France, had been on terrorists opening fire with weapons in public space but now vehicle-based attacks had moved to the top of the agenda.