BRITAIN’S counter-terror cops are on high alert over concerns of a UK attack after an ISIS terrorist ploughed his car into crowds in New Orleans killing 15.
Cops and MI5 have raised concerns that the New Orleans horror attack could trigger a copycat assault and have ramped up protection at historic sites.
The terror incident saw 15 people killed after driver, ISIS sympathiser driver Shamsud-Din Jabbar, embarked on a New Year’s Day rampage with a pick-up truck.
This comes after a BMW Christmas Market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, where 200 were injured and at least five were killed.
Fears over Islamic State supporters taking inspiration from the atrocity are growing as cops claim the risk of international terrorism in the UK is “substantial” and an attack is “likely.”
The former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office Chris Phillips said that certain landmarks and areas in Britain are particularly vulnerable.
He added: “Iconic sites are the key and there are hundreds of them here in the UK.”
“The New Orleans incident is a potential copycat of the Magdeburg Christmas market atrocity in Germany a few weeks ago so there will be concerns of a copycat attack taking place in the UK.”
Phillips believed it’s no coincidence that Bourbon Street in the US city’s French Quarter, where the attack unfolded, is the first place tourists go to when they arrive in New Orleans.
It’s been revealed that there are more than 600 investigations into potential terror threats and 3,000 extremists on the UK Government radar.
Phillips told The Mirror armed cops have been stationed at sites flagged as potential targets as Britain remains near the top of the terror risk list.
He added: “It’s always a delicate balance between security, safety and our freedoms.”
Counter-terrorist cops have placed hostile vehicle measure in multiple locations, primarily at popular tourist spots.
But not everywhere will be covered and choosing where to increase security measures can be difficult as many places in the UK are regarded as historic.
Phillips assures “intelligence” is the only way to stop these types of attack and the US and UK are said to be working closely together on terrorism matters.
He said they must be uncovered before they act as it’s impossible to protect people from someone who has already commandeered a vehicle.
The Metropolitan Police Headquarters, Scotland Yard, revealed it had prevented three terror-related attacks in the late stage of development within the last year.
Two of these were planned Islamist plots and one was a far right attack.
Since 2017 there have been 43 late stage terror plots with a few described as “goal line saves.”
Scotland Yard described the UK threat as “smouldering.”
