Scotland Yard today stepped up security in time for New Year's Eve here amid heightened fears of a terror attack in European capitals during the celebrations tomorrow.
More armed officers may be visible on the streets as reports emerged of arrests in Turkey of two suspected Islamic State operatives who planned to detonate suicide vests near bars and a shopping centre in Ankara on December 31, the Metropolitan Police said.
"The public will probably see more police officers on the streets as part of our policing plan. They may see more visible firearms officers as well. But it's all part of the aim of our plan, which is to provide safety and security for those coming into London, and also to reassure - not frighten - people," a Met Police spokesperson said.
Keith Vaz, Britain's longest-serving Indian-origin MP and chair of the House of Commons home affairs select committee, asked Londoners not to "give into fear".
"We should never allow the threat of terrorism to frighten us into changing our normal lives. We need to continue with our celebrations. Given the current climate, of course we should be extra vigilant and continue to be well protected but if we give into fear then they would have won," he said.
Last week, Vienna police said days before Christmas a warning was sent out by a "friendly intelligence service" to numerous European capitals of an attack involving explosives or a shooting between Christmas and the New Year.
Belgian police arrested six persons on Sunday and Monday thought to be plotting a New Year's Eve terror attack after officers found military clothing and ISIS propaganda while raiding homes in Brussels and Leige province.
Today, a Turkish government official said two men, who entered Turkey from Syria, were thought to have been preparing attacks near bars and a shopping mall on Kizilay Square in Ankara, where crowds usually gather to celebrate the New Year.
The two Turks, identified as MC and MY, are being questioned by the anti-terrorism police. Security precautions at major events across Europe had already been tightened following last month's horrific terror attacks in Paris.
"Following the recent attacks in Paris, we took the decision to provide 34 million pounds (USD 50 million) to enable a national uplift in armed policing capability and capacity to respond more quickly and effectively to a firearms attack.
"It is for Chief Officers to determine the number of authorised firearms officers in their areas based on a thorough assessment of threat and risk," a UK Home Office spokesperson said.
