Austrian police warn European capitals of possible attacks before New Year

Vienna police said in a statement Saturday that the tip from an unidentified “friendly” intelligence service came in the days before Christmas.

Cities across Europe have been on heightened alert since the deadly Paris terror attacks six weeks ago left 130 dead. The Austrian police have beefed up security on concerns of possible shooting or bomb attack before New Year.

The terror alert was handed to Austrian police this evening from a “friendly” intelligence service, as evidence grows that jihadi sleeper cells are planning to hit Western targets.

He refused to say which other European capitals had received the warning, the Guardian reported.

“We do not know if these people exist in real life, or if they are only names with no real person behind them”, Vienna police spokesman Christoph Polzl told the Guardian. “We have no evidence they are in Vienna, and we have no evidence they are even in Europe”.

Extra steps include surveillance in crowded spaces, “especially at events and traffic hubs”, as well as intensive identity checks and a higher alertness for objects that could hide explosives, such as bags and bicycle frames, it said.

The warning included several names of possible attackers.

Meanwhile, the French National Police said about 50,000 police officers have been deployed for security reasons at sensitive sites during the holidays period between December 19 and January 4.

“Germany is still in the crosshairs of Jihadist terrorism”, he said, adding that the country had reviewed and, where necessary, adapted security measures.