The Foreign Office has issued new advice to anyone travelling to France after the country raised its national threat level.
In a new update on Thursday, the Foreign Office confirmed it had initiated the ‘Emergency Attack Level’ due to the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with terrorist attacks and demonstrations more likely.
People from the UK attending major sporting venues, as well as tourist sites, busy shopping districts and other crowded areas, may have to evacuate and face increased security checks due to the heightened state of alert.
It comes after six airports across France were evacuated on Wednesday after emailed “threats of attack”. Scotland football fans travelling home were evacuated from Lille Airport on Wednesday following a bomb threat.
A fatal attack also occured in Arras, northern France on October 13 when a teacher was stabbed to death. It has been linked to Islamist terrorism.
The Emergency Attack Level is described as ‘maximum vigilance and protection in the event of an imminent threat of a terrorist act or in the immediate aftermath of an attack’.
It also means that the police could shut down areas at a moment’s notice – with warnings around evacuations of crowded places which could take place, including at airports, public transport stations and stops, tourist sites, major sports venues, schools, places of worship, and large commercial centres.
England are due to play South Africa in the semi finals of the rugby World Cup at 8pm UK time at the Stade de France, Paris.
The Foreign Office warned: “There have been some pro-Palestinian demonstrations in France related to events in Israel and Gaza. The French government has banned such demonstrations. French authorities have increased security around Jewish community sites. Stay aware of your surroundings, stay away from demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.”
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The Foreign Office also said that British citizens in particular were at risk and said: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British Nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British Nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
It added: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France. Methods of attack have included knife attacks, shootings, bombings and vehicle attacks. Be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local French authorities.”
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