PM: We'll Never Let 'Appalling' Terrorists Win
David Cameron said he was 'shocked and concerned' by events in Brussel
David
Cameron has said Britain will "stand together" with European
neighbours to defeat terrorism after a series of deadly bomb blasts in
Brussels.
The Prime Minister said the UK "will do
everything we can to help" Belgium, as security was stepped up at key
locations and airports including Heathrow and Gatwick in response to the
terrorist attacks.
He said: "These are difficult times, these
are appalling terrorists, but we must stand together to do everything we can to
stop them and to make sure that although they attack our way of life and attack
us because of who we are, we will never let them win."
After chairing a meeting of the Government's
COBRA emergency committee to discuss events in Brussels, Mr Cameron said the UK
terror threat level would stay at "severe" for now, but could be
raised if necessary. He added: "We face a
very real terrorist threat right across the countries of Europe and we have to
meet that with everything we have."
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, arriving at
10 Downing Street this morning, said the situation was "ongoing" and
that British authorities were in contact with their Belgian counterparts.
The Foreign Office warned British citizens in
Brussels to avoid crowded areas and follow advice from the Belgian authorities.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said there was no
intelligence to suggest an attack was imminent but there would be heightened
security in the city.
:: Special Programme: Brussels Attacks on Sky News
at 7pm tonight
Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the national
lead for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: "Our thoughts are with the
people of Brussels following this morning's horrific attacks.
"As a precaution forces across the UK have
increased policing presence at key locations, including transport hubs, to
protect the public and provide reassurance. This is not in relation to any
specific information or intelligence.
"In London specifically, the Metropolitan
Police Service has mobilised additional officers, who will carry out highly
visible patrols at key locations around the Capital including the transport
network."
Labour leader
Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "I am extremely concerned for all caught up in
unfolding events in Brussels. Solidarity with emergency services & those
affected."
UKIP MEP and defence spokesman Mike
Hookem said the attack "shows that Shengen free movement and lax
border controls are a threat to our security".
A spokesman for
Heathrow Airport said: "We take the safety and security of our passengers
and colleagues very seriously.
"In the light of events in Brussels
airport, we are working with the police at Heathrow who are providing a high
visibility presence.
"We expect flights to Brussels Airport to
be affected and ask passengers travelling there to check their flight status
with their airline."
A Gatwick spokesperson said: "The
safety of passengers and staff at Gatwick is the airport's absolute priority.
"As a result of the terrible incidents in
Brussels, we have increased our security presence and patrols around the
airport."
Ryanair, BMI, British Airways and Brussels
Airlines said a number of flights to and from the closed Zaventem Airport in
Brussels were being cancelled or diverted.
Eurostar trains to and from Brussels were
suspended, with services from London terminating in Lille, France.
The official threat to the UK from
international terrorism currently stands at severe - indicating that an attack
is "highly likely".
It has been at that level since August 2014.
Foreign
Office Advice: Any concerned family and friends should contact the Foreign
Office helpline on +44 207 008 0000 or the Belgian crisis centre on +32 275 373
00.
Post a Comment