Terror fears for safety of packed crowds at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

Guests to London's Winter Wonderland have been tonight decided to benefit from the festivities regardless of warnings massive queues can 'current a goal' for terrorists.

Simply 24 hours after the assault on an identical attraction in Germany, revellers stated they might not let terrorists 'succeed' of their mission to depart Europe crippled by worry.

One customer advised MailOnline: 'They've in all probability destroyed the festive season in Berlin, however they will not right here in London.'

Nonetheless others have raised issues over the approach through which massive numbers of individuals are made to attend in lengthy fenced-off queues for safety checks on the Hyde Park honest, fearing they could possibly be a goal for terrorists.

Defiant: Tons of of revellers flocked to Winter Wonderland on Tuesday night time, pictured, simply 24 hours after an assault on an identical attraction in Berlin. Many stated they have been decided to benefit from the festivities regardless of warnings queues could possibly be a 'goal' for terror assaults

Enterprise as ordinary: Guests appeared unconcerned with fears the attraction could possibly be the location of a terror assault. Some stated there gave the impression to be no further safety on the honest tonight 

Safety checks: Workers conduct bag searches on the entrance to the festive points of interest

Issues: Specialists and guests have warned of the hazards of huge queues for safety checks. Pictured, individuals are penned-in as they look ahead to the bag examine at Hyde Park 

One customer stated that these arriving on the attraction each afternoon and night have been 'herded by means of an enormous pen' as they waited to be let in.

She added: 'You simply really feel like a sitting duck for terrorists'.

In the meantime a terror skilled warned such crowds can 'current a goal' if not correctly unfold out or dispersed. 

The annual Winter Wonderland occasion in Hyde Park attracts in tens of millions of holiday makers from around the globe to its fairground rides, Christmas markets and meals stalls. Greater than 2.5million individuals visited the occasion final yr. 

At this time the Met Police introduced it's reviewing safety preparations round London within the wake of the Berlin atrocity, saying an assault from 'a variety of threats' stays 'extremely doubtless'.

Organisers for Winter Wonderland stated safety had been reviewed in mild of the Berlin assault and remained 'sturdy' and 'acceptable'.  

Contained in the attraction tonight many guests remained defiant within the face of terror fears. 

One younger lady, who didn't wish to be named, stated: 'It is a miserable time for us, but it surely's a time they've chosen as a result of it is a Christian vacation. 

Festive environment: Revellers stated they might not let worry of a terror strike dampen the temper

On alert: Guests at Winter Wonderland on Tuesday, as police stepped up safety in London

Fears: Whereas many have been decided to have enjoyable, some had lingering issues over safety

'They've in all probability destroyed the festive season in Berlin, however they will not right here in London. 

'It is occurred so many instances in Good and Paris, we simply have to ensure they do not see this as successful.'

Pensioner Ken Worthington, 67, stated: 'After all the occasions in Berlin are in your thoughts, I might like to satisfy somebody who can go and neglect about it utterly. 

'Sure, Winter Wonderland could be a terrific goal for terrorists - but it surely's additionally a terrific place for a celebration. 

'There is a massive social gathering in there and everybody's having a marvellous time.'

Retired charity employee Len Milton, 70, from south London, stated: 'The safety is so good right here and we simply had no second ideas.  

Tightly-packed crowds have waited in lengthy queues in latest days as revellers attempt to get in

Yearly, tens of millions of individuals come from around the globe benefit from the fairground and market - however massive numbers needed to wait to get in final night time, forming an enormous crowd exterior

Crowds on the entrance to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park on Saturday afternoon

'My spouse and I are 70 and we will not simply cease going out due to terrorists. Saying that, youthful individuals should not allow them to cease them having enjoyable both.' 

Nonetheless others remained on alert.

Vacationer Afyecu Dimitrov, 24, stated: 'It does not really feel nice understanding we must queue. What occurred in Berlin has been on our minds, however I feel England had nice safety so that you should not change for them.

'You simply should go. My girlfriend undoubtedly had blended emotions about it this morning although.'

One father, who did not want to be named, stated: 'I did really feel anxious about going tonight, but it surely's a household custom and we go yearly.

'To be sincere, I do not assume there was any extra safety right here than there may be every other yr. However it undoubtedly felt emptier when it comes to the group than in different years and I do know as a result of we have now been so many instances earlier than.' 

On the entrance to the attraction, crowds are compelled to attend in a small, enclosed space earlier than the safety checks. 

Russ Armstrong, the managing director of threat administration firm Castor Vali and former Royal Marines Commando, stated such crowds can turn out to be a goal if not correctly managed. 

Commenting on the doorway challenge, Mr Armstrong advised MailOnline: 'It is a comparable drawback to that confronted by airports over the place do you place the safety checks. In the event you put them someplace which is simply too public then these people who find themselves ready there current a goal.'

Guests have expressed issues over the attraction within the wake of the Berlin terror assault

He stated a potential answer could be rising the variety of entrances in order that fewer individuals have been at every one and so they have been extra unfold out.  

Professor Anthony Glees, of the Centre for Safety and Intelligence Research at Buckingham College, stated Christmas markets are particular targets for jihadists and referred to as for tight safety.

He stated: 'The truth that a Christmas market was focused [in Berlin] was not coincidental, it illustrates the truth that a small minority of Muslim fanatics are intent on exhibiting that they're waging a warfare in opposition to Christian traditions.

'The Bastille Day assault was symbolic as France was celebrating its nationwide identification, now one other nationwide establishment in Germany has been focused.

'We, within the UK, we have now imported these German Christmas markets and it is completely proper that we needs to be very conscious of safety points.' 

Of Hyde Park, Professor Glees added: 'We needs to be taking these items very severely, particularly as that is the second time a lorry has been used.

'We can not neglect the Christmas message of peace, however I'd anticipate to see a lot of high-viz jackets and armed police round an space like this, particularly in nationwide websites like this.'

Professor Glees emphasised that British safety providers had proved way more proactive in stopping such assaults because of variations in guidelines over intercepting communications between the UK and Germany.

Highway closures have been introduced in across the occasion this yr amid warnings that terrorists have been focusing on Christmas markets. 

Guests to the attraction have to attend in two predominant holding pens to undergo safety checks. Pre-booked clients use a particular 'quick monitor' entrance

Hyde Park's South Carriage Drive is topic to closures at peak instances for crowd security functions. Nonetheless, the doorway space the place crowds collect is open to infiltration by gunmen or bombers.

A spokesman for Winter Wonderland stated: 'The security and safety of our clients is of the utmost significance and we have now a number of security procedures in place. We proceed to work carefully with all related authorities to make sure public security.

'In mild of the occasions in Berlin we have now thought of our safety plans with the Metropolitan Police and so they proceed to be sturdy and acceptable. Our ideas are with these in Berlin and their households.' 

Safety was beefed-up at one other of Britain's most well-known Christmas markets this morning within the wake of the Berlin atrocity.

The Southbank Winter Pageant, subsequent to the Royal Pageant Corridor, remained quiet earlier than its 11am opening, with just some members of the general public ready for the gates to open.

A heightened police presence patrolled the busy promenade beneath the London Eye, handing out playing cards warning members of the general public concerning the threat of terrorism.

The playing cards, which had the variety of the anti-terrorism hotline, prompted vacationers to be cautious of suspicious behaviour and other people taking an curiosity in safety. 

Concrete boundaries have been erected at Birmingham's German Market earlier this month to forestall assaults just like that witnessed in Berlin final night time, and armed police have been patrolling Newcastle amid fears of terror assaults. 

A police patrol boat was on the River Thames this morning, subsequent to the South Financial institution market

Armed officers have been additionally on guard at close by Horse Guards' Parade, in style with vacationers

A visual police and safety presence is seen across the German market in Birmingham at present

Highway blocks have been put in place on the Birmingham Christmas markets this yr

Police at Birmingham Christmas market this morning, the place barricades have been put in place

Police forces across the nation have deployed officers at occasions following the Berlin assault

Better Manchester Police stated they'd strengthened their presence on the markets, which have nearly 350 stalls unfold throughout 10 websites within the metropolis. 

Armed officers from Northumbria police have additionally been seen in Newcastle metropolis centre, posing with youngsters and households whereas carrying assault rifles. 

It emerged final week that 200 undercover SAS troopers are to be deployed on Britain's streets to help police forces within the occasion of an assault. 

Earlier this month, officers armed with assault rifles made daybreak raids on six addresses in Derby, London and Burton upon Trent in reference to a suspected assault on Christmas customers. 

A Scotland Yard spokesman stated at present: 'The Metropolitan Police has detailed plans for shielding public occasions over the Christmas and New 12 months interval. 

'These already recognise that the risk stage is at 'extreme', that means an assault is extremely doubtless, and have thought of a variety of threats, together with using massive automobiles.

'As a matter of routine, as a precaution, we overview our plans after assaults abroad, and we're doing so at current following the terrible incidents in Berlin and Ankara final night time.'

Mounted police saved guard on the Christmas market, Broadmead, Bristol this afternoon

Consumers and stall holders stated the please to see the elevated police presence in Bristol

Safety at Christmas markets round Britain has been stepped up after yesterday's assault

Cops have been out and about round Manchester's Albert Sq. this morning

Police automobiles have been on website on the market in Manchester this morning amid tighter safety

Cops have additionally been on patrol on the massive Christmas market in Edinburgh at present

Forces across the nation are on alert following the assault in Berlin yesterday night

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan sought to reassure Londoners and guests to town over Christmas that the Met Police will overview all safety plans in London in mild of Monday night time's occasions, saying that 'retaining everybody protected stays the best precedence for the Met commissioner and for me'.

Mr Khan stated: 'My ideas and prayers are with everybody affected by the terrible suspected assault on Berlin final night time, notably those that have been injured, the households and pals of those that have been killed and all of the emergency responders.

'We do not but have the complete particulars, however this seems to have been a horrific and cowardly act of terror.

'All Londoners stand in solidarity with the individuals of Berlin at present - this was an assault on our shared values, freedoms and lifestyle.' 

Christmas markets have sprung up on the town and metropolis centres round Britain in latest weeks. Pictured: The market at George Sq. in Glasgow

Clients nonetheless flocked to the Christmas market within the shadow of Winchester Cathedral at present

The market in Liverpool metropolis centre was additionally doing good commerce at present regardless of the assault

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