Strasbourg Christmas market is strictly protected
The Strasbourg Christmas market is being specially protected in view of the highest terror alert level imposed in France this year. More than 1,000 police officers and other officials, as well as drones, will be deployed daily to monitor France's oldest Christmas market, the city and police announced on Friday. The Christmas market opens on November 24. In addition to preventing terrorist threats, the officers are also targeting pickpockets in particular. In addition to the nationwide warning app FR-Alert for all visitors, a new SMS warning system for business people and traders in Strasbourg will also be used.
The Christmas market in the Alsace metropolis attracts more than two million visitors every year, many of them from Germany. The concern for security is not unfounded. Five people were killed and eleven injured in a terrorist attack during the 2018 Christmas market. The reason for the current increased security precautions is the deadly attack by a young Islamist on a teacher in Arras in mid-October.
Given the heightened terror alert in France, Customs officials will also rigorously screen all goods entering the Strasbourg Christmas market for potential threats. Furthermore, to ensure the safety of the Christmas celebration, increased security measures against terrorism will remain in place throughout the holiday season, especially considering the tragic incident at the market in 2018.
Source: www.dpa.com
