Fears over ‘copycat’ attack in UK after car ploughs into German Xmas market as public urged to report terror suspects
FEARS of a “copycat” attack in the UK are rising after a car ploughed into a German Christmas market.
A counter terror expert urged the public to report any suspects following the events in Magdeburg last night – which left two dead and up to 80 injured.
German police have since arrested a doctor from Saudi Arabia in his 50s.
Speaking on GB News, Chris Phillips, the former head of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Security Office, said: “It is concerning that this has taken place and what we’re concerned about is copycats and we might have another one.
“If you do see something, report suspicious behaviour, this is advice given out by police this week.
“Or even better, report people who are perhaps going off the rails.”
However, he added that a blanket warning against Christmas markets would mean “terrorists have won”.
It comes after a spokesperson for the Foreign Office told Sky News that it was “closely monitoring the situation”.
Brits were warned about the possibility of attacks on Christmas markets yesterday, before the events in Germany unfolded.
Police from Counter Terrorism Policing said Christmas markets, shopping centres, concerts and pantos could all be targets.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell added: “The public are our eyes and ears. Without public support and vigilance, it actually makes our job an awful lot more difficult.
“Our concern is public spaces, crowded places and the natural vulnerability of that for obvious reasons, places where you’ve got many, many people, tourists, shoppers, local residents and people coming to work.
“What we want to do is make sure we get messages across for members of the public to be vigilant.”
Among the people killed in the attack last night was a small child.
The suspect, who works in Saxony-Anhalt, was not known to German authorities as an Islamic extremist, the country’s DPA news agency said.
Police confirmed that they are not looking for any other suspect at this time.
The car is described as having been driven 400m through the busy festive market just after 7pm, having smashed through protective barriers.
In video footage of the suspect’s arrest, he is seen with his hands up before he lays down on the ground.
An armed policeman can be seen shouting at him with a gun raised – before vans full of reinforcements come careening down the street.
One cop jumps over the road barrier as they swarm around the suspect.
Other graphic clips from last night appeared to show the dark car careening into the dense market crowd, leaving dozens of people on the ground.
Cops initially described an “extensive” police presence at the venue, before German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the reports suggested “something terrible is to come”.
He said in a post on X: “My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg.
“My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours.”