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TOURIST TERROR THREAT

Brit holidaymakers in Spain warned to expect MORE terror attacks… as top security chief says threat to Brits in Europe has NEVER been so high

Europol's executive director issued the caution following terrorist attack in Barcelona that left 13 innocents dead and 130 injured after van was intentionally driven into pedestrians.

Rob Wainwright

ONE of Europe's top security chiefs has warned that Brits on the continent face the severest threat from terrorism for a generation.

Rob Wainwright, executive director of Europol, issued the caution following yesterday's terrorist attack in Barcelona that left 13 people dead.

 The executive director of Europol issued the warning on Twitter
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The executive director of Europol issued the warning on TwitterCredit: Twitter
 Mr Wainwright issued the warning following the Barcelona terrorist attack
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Mr Wainwright issued the warning following the Barcelona terrorist attackCredit: EPA

The attack saw a man intentionally drive into pedestrians walking along the city's thoroughfare Las Ramblas - a popular destination for tourists.

 The security chief also shared a picture of Europoi's flags flying at half mast
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The security chief also shared a picture of Europoi's flags flying at half mastCredit: Twitter

Writing on his Twitter account, Mr Wainwright, 49, said: "Terrorism at its most simple and brutal. And highly challenging for police to stop. Highest threat in Europe for a generation."

He also shared a picture of Europol's headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, where flags were flying at half mast in solidarity with the people of Spain.

Europol, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, handles criminal intelligence and tackles organised crime in the EU.

The Foreign Office has warned that Britons travelling to the country should be vigilant and that the possibility of jihadists attacking the country was "likely".

12 million Brits visit the country every year with the country's coastline and islands a popular choice for sun-seekers.

 Julian Cadman is missing after being separated from his mother while out walking in Barcelona
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Julian Cadman is missing after being separated from his mother while out walking in BarcelonaCredit: Facebook / Tony Cadman

Mark Rowley, the man in charge of the UK's counter-terrorism policing, offered some basic advice to anyone who find themselves in the middle of an attack.

He said: "'The key advice is to run to a place of safety. If there is nowhere to run then hide. It is better to hide than confront.

"Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can.

"Officers are at UK ports today ready to meet British holiday-makers returning to the UK from the region in order to take any witness accounts.

"The current threat is global and it is only by working together that it can be defeated.

"In the UK the current threat from international terrorism remains 'severe' meaning an attack is highly likely. We remain on a heightened state of readiness."


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