German security stepped up after 'concrete' warning of terrorist attacks

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The German Government is stepping up security at all airports and train stations after receiving "concrete indications" that terrorist attacks are being planned in the country for the end of November.

The alert, which comes less than a month after Germany dismissed American warnings of terror attacks in Europe, has led to increased police patrols in major cities and the introduction of spot checks at airports and border control points.

Announcing the measures, the Interior Minister, Thomas de Maizière, said Germany had received a tip-off from another government that "sustained efforts" were being made by Islamic extremists to carry out attacks. "There are grounds for concern but not hysteria," he added.

The tip-off follows the interception of two parcel bombs en route from Yemen to the United States last month. One of the bombs was sent via Cologne airport, where security guards failed to detect it. The bomb was eventually discovered in Britain.

Mr de Maizière was subsequently given a "dressing down" by Chancellor Angela Merkel for having failed to inform her about the bomb and the security services' failure to find it. Yesterday's warning was in part designed to correct impressions that Germany had gone soft on terrorism or was not taking the threat of bomb attacks seriously.