Special forces were deployed to some of the capital’s landmarks and busiest spots amid fears that Britain could be the next target for an ISIS terror attack.
The elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) are backing up undercover armed police officers to protect the UK in the wake of the Paris attacks.
Yahoo news reports:
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Under the authority of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorist Command wing, unarmed soldiers were deployed to covertly infiltrate key “areas of interest” known for sympathising with extremists. The elite forces were deployed to monitor stations, shopping centres and key public places. More than 60 soldiers, including SAS and SRR personnel were deployed after a high-level security meeting was held at MI5.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph reports that up to 450 radicalised Britons have returned to the UK from Syria. Scotland Yard is investigating 600 terror cases related to Syria and Iraq.
From “about 750 [British citizens] of interest to the security and intelligence services”, who had gone to Syria “about 60% have returned”, Charles Farr, director of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism said. He added that people, who can’t travel to Syria or Iraq from the UK, have been told by Isis to stay and “undertake attacks”.
“The public can be reassured that our firearms officers are trained to deal with this kind of incident and we are constantly evolving new ways to combat the threats to public safety,” Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe was quoted as saying by The Sunday Express.
Niamh Harris