UK terror expert claims attack on capital is imminent

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Britain’s most senior anti-terrorism officer has branded Edinburgh an “extremely attractive” destination for a devastating terrorist attack.

Superintendent Brett Lovegrove, the head of the City of London Police’s counter-terrorism unit, claimed that the city’s iconic status, as well as its many international businesses, its airport, sports stadiums and crowded streets, make it an ideal target for terrorist activity.

Speaking to a total of 64 delegates at the Project Griffin Awareness Training Seminar held in Edinburgh last week, Mr Lovegrove highlighted the month-long Edinburgh Festival as a period of major concern.

“In particular, the festival ticks all the right boxes” he explained, “so it's essential the public are made aware of the threat and what action should be taken.

"Like London and New York, it is also an iconic city which is flooded with tourists all year round.

"Last year's Glasgow airport attack proved Scotland isn't immune to the threat of terrorism. Unfortunately, it isn't a case of 'if' there will be an attack on Edinburgh but 'when'."

Mr Lovegrove listed other major events taking place in Edinburgh which have been identified as potential terrorist targets, including functions at Edinburgh castle, Hogmanay and even Six Nations rugby matches at Murrayfield.

He also introduced conference delegates, who included representatives from the city council as well as businesses such as Lothian Buses and car park firm NCP, to what he called “hostile reconnaissance”, a term which refers to keeping an eye out for potential acts of terrorism.

“This means noticing people who suddenly start appearing at a café and perhaps draw maps of the surrounding area. It could be someone using video equipment where it wouldn't normally be done,” Mr Lovegrove explained.

Mr Lovegrove’s sentiment was echoed by Superintendent Keith Chamberlain of Lothian and Borders Police, who stated that knowledge-sharing was paramount in fighting terrorism and called upon all members of the public to play their part.

We want people to be an extension of the police and help us fight the threat by being our eyes and ears," he said. "The seminar is designed to teach people how to spot potential terrorists – not by their appearance but by their behaviour.

“By doing this, we can then reduce the risk of any potential attack.”

Project Griffin was established four years ago by The City of London Police as a means of training security staff and other public workers to help the authorities identify potential terrorist threats. The scheme has since been implemented in various major cities throughout the world including Sydney, New York and Hong Kong, and is now underway in Edinburgh.

‘Project Griffin Trained’ delegates are expected to pass on advice and information to colleagues and the wider community.

However, Robin Harper MSP has criticised Mr Lovegrove's insistence that it is merely a matter of time before the capital experiences a terrorist attack as sensationalist.

He said: "In a speech that was largely sensible, Superintendent Lovegrove blew it by asserting that 'it isn't a case of if there will be an attack on Edinburgh but when.

"The Festival, the Tattoo, and the Six Nations are some of Edinburgh's best events. Identifying them as not just potential but definite terrorist targets is, at best, scaremongering.

"Ian Rankin's Mortal Causes centres on a phoney terrorist attack on Edinburgh and I think fiction is the right place for this kind of story, not police briefings."

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