Berlin attack prompts fears of copycat terror strike at London’s Winter Wonderland Christmas market as police warn UK attack is ‘highly likely’
FESTIVE shoppers have raised fears of a copycat terror attack at London's Winter Wonderland Christmas market after a suspected terrorist drove a lorry into revellers in Berlin last night.
Visitors to the free attraction at Hyde Park, which welcomes millions of people every year, are made to queue in a long, fenced-off area outside the event prompting security concerns.
It comes a police warn an attack on the UK is now "highly likely" while around 200 undercover SAS soldiers were deployed to secret locations across the country, including the capital.
Revellers have reported waiting in queues of up to an hour for bag searches before being allowed into the attraction, which includes a huge fairground, Christmas markets and food stalls.
The entrance area has prompted people to question its security over concerns it could be a terror target after 12 people were killed and 50 injured at the Christmas market in the German capital.
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Terry Parrott asked London mayor Sadiq Khan in a tweet: "I hope you have checked that Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park has the necessary barricades in place?"
Sue Liddington posted on Facebook to say she had been glad of the security when she attended Winter Wonderland, but added: "If it was this week would I go? Probably not."
Another Twitter user, named Tara, posted a message to say she had spotted heavily armed police en-route to the site this morning in the wake of the Berlin attack.
Winter Wonderland bosses increased security this year with extra road closures brought in around the event.
Its website states: 'The safety and comfort of our visitors is a priority. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has a robust security management plan, which is coordinated by event security and the Metropolitan Police.
"Security checks will be in place throughout the event, including bag searches, which may result in delays when entering the site.
"We ask all guests to be vigilant and not to leave bags and belongings unattended."
A spokeswoman for Winter Wonderland said:"The safety and security of our customers is of the utmost importance and we have multiple safety procedures in place.
"We continue to work closely with all relevant authorities to ensure public safety.
"In light of the events in Berlin we have considered our security plans with the Metropolitan Police and they continue to be robust and appropriate. Our thoughts are with those in Berlin and their families."
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has also assured people that keeping Londoners safe is a "high priority".
He said: "I want to reassure Londoners and those visiting our city over Christmas that the Metropolitan Police will review all security plans in London in light of last night's events, and that keeping everyone safe remains the highest priority for the Met Commissioner and me."
Christmas markets in Birmingham installed concrete barricades ahead of the festive season over fears of a terror threat.
The bollards that have been put up in Colmore Row and Bennetts Hill form part of a wider plan to safeguard the hundreds of thousands who visit every day.
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