Fears over New Orleans copycat assault in UK with British police and MI5 on excessive alert | UK | News | EUROtoday

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New Orleans Car Into Crowd (25002054744869)

A barrier is seen on Royal Street after a automobile drove right into a crowd in New Orleans. (Image: AP)

The UK should brace for a possible wave of copycat assaults with British counter-terrorism officers remaining on heightened alert following the New Orleans atrocity, a former senior policeman has warned.

The horrifying assault, wherein a pick-up truck driver apparently impressed by Islamic State killed 15 folks by driving into crowds on Bourbon Street within the US metropolis’s French Quarter on New Year’s Day, has raised fears of comparable assaults being carried out in Britain. On the identical day, a Tesla truck exploded outdoors a resort in Las Vegas in what can also be being handled as a terrorist incident.

Police and MI5 worry that State supporters may very well be impressed to launch knife or automobile assaults. The UK is already a key goal for terrorists, with MI5 overseeing greater than 600 lively investigations into doable plots and monitoring over 3,000 extremists.

A UK Counter Terrorism Policing spokesperson has careworn that officers “continually assess international events” to guage their potential impression on nationwide safety.

The UK’s terrorist menace degree is presently categorized as “substantial,” that means an assault is taken into account possible. Armed police are patrolling high-profile websites deemed in danger, with Scotland Yard not too long ago revealing it had disrupted three late-stage terrorist plots up to now 12 months.

READ MORE: UK terror alert in wake of New Orleans atrocity – ‘sadly a query of when’

New Orleans: Mayor assertion after New Year’s Day horror

Chris Phillips, former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, informed The Mirror: “The US and UK work closely on counter-terrorism issues, and intelligence sharing between the two is vital.

“The New Orleans incident mirrors the Magdeburg Christmas market assault in Germany simply weeks in the past, and there’s concern that comparable ways may very well be used right here within the UK. Iconic places are notably susceptible, and we’ve got many such websites. Bourbon Street, a preferred vacationer vacation spot in New Orleans, was possible focused intentionally.

“London has numerous comparable areas. Bourbon Street, with its bustling nightlife of bars and clubs, is synonymous with a party culture. While we’ve implemented hostile vehicle measures in many locations, protecting every potential target is impossible.

“Key websites should stay vigilant, however there’s all the time a steadiness between security and private freedoms. Preventing such assaults typically relies on well timed intelligence, stopping perpetrators earlier than they act.”

APTOPIX New Orleans Car Into Crowd (25002038512467)

Matthias Hauswirth of New Orleans prays on the street near the scene. (Image: AP)

William Wechsler, former US deputy assistant secretary of defence, highlighted how the resurgence of Islamic State-aligned groups, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria, has emboldened extremist sympathisers.

He said: “The Islamic State ideology, which centres on the recreation of a caliphate, holds sturdy attraction for some.

“When extremists see successes in regions like Syria, it strengthens their belief in their cause and may inspire attacks elsewhere.

“Just a couple of years in the past, Islamic State-inspired assaults occurred in each New York City and London. This menace stays actual and is doubtlessly rising, fuelled by information of exercise in areas the place IS is most lively.”

Speaking yesterday, the Counter Terrorism Policing spokesperson reiterated the importance of public vigilance: “Our ideas are with everybody affected by the horrific occasions in New Orleans, together with our legislation enforcement colleagues within the US.

London Soho District, Night, Greater London West End, England, United Kingdom, Britain

London’s West End is, like New Orleans, house to quite a few bars and nightspots (Image: Getty)

“The terrorist threat level in the UK remains substantial, meaning an attack is likely. We urge the public to remain alert and report anything unusual to the police. Always call 999 in an emergency.

“As anticipated, we frequently consider worldwide developments to find out their implications for the UK’s nationwide safety.”

The FBI now says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an “act of terrorism” when he drove a pickup truck right into a crowd of New Year’s revellers early Wednesday. The driver had posted movies on social media hours earlier than the carnage saying he was impressed by the Islamic State group and expressing a want to kill, President Joe Biden mentioned.

The FBI recognized the motive force as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.

Officials haven’t but formally launched the names of the folks killed within the assault, however their households and pals have began sharing their tales. About 30 folks had been injured.

An 18-year-old girl dreaming of turning into a nurse, a single mom, a father of two and a former Princeton soccer star had been amongst these killed.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1995607/fears-over-new-orleans-copycat