Police have urged the public to remain vigilant during the London marathon and memorial events this weekend amid heightened fears sparked by an alleged terror plot in Australia.
Security arrangements for events in the UK to mark the centenary of the first world war’s Gallipoli campaign and the 99th anniversary of Anzac Day, as well as the London marathon, have been reviewed by Scotland Yard.
The move comes after Australian counter-terror police arrested five men in Melbourne in connection with an alleged plot to unleash Islamic State-inspired attacks against police at an event to mark Anzac Day, which commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in war.
Scotland Yard’s deputy assistant commissioner, Neil Basu, said: “Ahead of a number of major public events in the UK this weekend, including Anzac Day commemorations and the London marathon and in light of recent alleged plans to attack Anzac Day events and police officers overseas, we are reminding the public to be vigilant.
“While there is no information to suggest a specific threat to these events in the UK and the current national threat level remains unchanged we would like to reiterate our longstanding advice to remain vigilant and alert.
“As ever we would urge the public to get in touch to report anything suspicious by calling the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency by calling 999.
“We would like to reassure the public that police forces have reviewed security plans for this weekend’s events to ensure they are safe and secure for all those attending or involved, and that the public are encouraged to continue with their plans to attend or take part in these great events.”
A service will take place at the Cenotaph on Whitehall on Saturday to pay homage to those who fought and died during the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey 100 years ago, followed by a 3,000-strong march.
About 650,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of London for this year’s marathon, which winds its way past the capital’s major sights including Tower bridge, Big Ben and the houses of parliament.
The joint terrorism analysis centre raised the threat level last year against a backdrop of increasing concerns over hundreds of aspiring British jihadis travelling to Iraq and Syria to learn terrorist “tradecraft”.
Fears of a terrorist attack on Britain’s streets heightened in the wake of the rise of Isis, the extremist group that has taken over large swaths of Iraq and Syria and attracted thousands of foreign jihadis to its cause, including more than 600 Britons, around half of whom have returned.
