Ring of steel put on Britain’s Christmas markets as armed cops and anti-terror barriers protect against terror attacks
Heavy duty steel bollards, concrete blockades and cops armed to the teeth will protect Christmas shoppers from terror attacks this year
CHRISTMAS markets are being transformed into impenetrable fortresses as cops patrol stalls with deadly assault rifles and install bulky barriers to prevent terror attacks.
A 'ring of steel' is being created around festive markets across Britain with metal and concrete bollards designed to stop vehicle-ramming attacks.
Heavily armed officers have been seen mingling with revellers enjoying bratwurst, mince pies and mulled wine this festive season.
As well as uniformed officers undercover cops will be patrolling the beer halls and gift shops in a bid to keep the country safe.
Visitors to the markets are penned in hefty blockades, built to stop vehicle attacks like the ones that rocked London last year and at a Christmas market in Berlin in 2016.
In a move to prevent attackers from concealing weapons or explosives, Christmas shoppers will be subject to stop and search checks before going into the markets.
In the event an attack does happen, incident response units are stationed close to the festivities, ready to react to an incident.
Pictures today show the increased measures implemented by police in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds after markets opened to the public last weekend.
They have been put in place amid fears of an imminent terror attack in Britain.
The fortifications come after an ISIS fanatic ploughed a lorry into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people in 2016.
Similar attacks were also seen on UK soil last year, when three fanatics ploughed vehicles into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, London Bridge and in Finsbury park.
Thankfully there have been no terror attacks in 2018, compared with four the year before, including the Manchester Arena bombing.
According to Mi5 the current terror threat level to the country is "severe", meaning an attack "is highly likely".
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