Europe increases Christmas market security amid 'very high' threat of terrorism

European Christmas markets are featuring tighter security this year amid a “very high” terror threat level in Europe following last year’s attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market that involved a terrorist using an SUV to kill six individuals and injure over 300 others in Germany. 

Fox News reported that a recent Federal Association of City and Town Marketing survey showed that Germany has increased security spending for public events by roughly 44% over the last three years. The outlet noted that Berlin’s main Christmas market included additional private security, concrete barriers, and enhanced video surveillance this year, while other German Christmas markets confirmed that they might have to cancel or downsize next year due to additional security requirements.

“The requirements have become increasingly stringent,” David Russ, head of Genarmenmarkt’s production, told Reuters. Russ explained that the increased security helps people feel more secure. “I can just let go of everything here — I feel safe,” he said.

According to Fox News, France has also tightened security for the Christmas season this year, with officials canceling the annual New Year’s Eve concert on the Champs-Élysées due to concerns from the French Interior Ministry regarding a “very high” terror threat level. French officials have labeled Christmas markets and various winter events as “high-risk” events,  which has resulted in law enforcement agencies deploying additional officers, implementing screening checkpoints, and adding new restrictions for various events.

The Sun reported that the popular Christmas market in Salzburg, Austria, has been monitored by a security network of 33 cameras and private security officials this year, while other Christmas markets in Austria have been canceled due to the cost of the new security requirements.

According to Fox News, Hungary’s capital of Budapest has started using plain-clothes law enforcement officials to identify suspicious behavior and improve the response speed of law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials in the Czech Republic’s capital of Prague have increased patrols and deployed concrete barriers throughout the city.

“The threat level is certainly the same as last year. Arguably, it’s more acute now, which is why the authorities in Germany and France are increasing security measures at Christmas markets and fairs this year,” Ben Cohen, a senior analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News. “Over the last year, both countries have cracked down on Islamist activity, so they will be especially on their guard at this time of year.”

“More broadly, both Christian and Jewish festivals are seen as soft targets by jihadists, as evidenced by the attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur in October,” Cohen added. “Christmas and Easter carry the same risks and so extra vigilance and a strong but discreet armed police presence is definitely warranted.”