Security at major events and tourist landmarks in Britain is being stepped up amid fears of an Isis-inspired terrorist campaign this summer.
Police are considering installing vehicle barriers for the first time at the Notting Hill carnival in west London later this month to prevent crowds from being mowed down in a van or lorry attack.
Similar barriers have been deployed in key locations, including along the Royal Mile at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, which began on Friday. Armed police patrols have been increased in the Scottish capital, backed up by sniffer dogs and plainclothes officers.
Many venues for the Fringe, which runs for most of August, are carrying out stringent bag searches for the first time.
In London, police armed response vehicles are discreetly operating close to landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.
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One marked vehicle containing at least two armed officers appeared to be permanently stationed last week opposite Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, which have previously been listed as targets in Isis propaganda videos. The officers have been trained to shoot dead a suicide bomber.
A police source said the 4x4 vehicles were located at popular tourist sights as “reassurance” and “to act as a deterrent”, as well as allowing officers to swiftly respond to any serious incident in their vicinity.
There is no specific intelligence of an imminent attack. But police and MI5 are on high alert after four terrorist atrocities in three months that claimed 36 lives.
The use of vehicles to mow down pedestrians in the Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park attacks has forced officials to review policing arrangements for the Notting Hill carnival, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend. More than 1m people usually attend.
Police are considering using metal or concrete barriers along parts of the main carnival route, as well as at other locations where large crowds gather, such as at food stalls and popular sound systems. Extra checks are likely to be made on vehicles left by residents in side streets.
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Armed police are also expected at today’s FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley.
Scotland Yard said: “Appropriate policing plans will be in place for the various major public events in London over the summer, and the plans will take into account the current threat level, which remains at ‘severe’.”