British police have moved to reassure football fans heading to England's Wembley clash with Italy following a terror attack in Belgium which left two dead.
England face Italy in the Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday night, less than 24 hours after two Swedish fans were murdered in Brussels ahead of their team's match against Belgium.
Scotland Yard said there will be a “robust, high-visibility” police presence at the London game.
“There is a robust policing plan in place for the Euro 2024 qualifier between England and Italy at Wembley this evening, building on our shared experience with trusted partners in policing these high-profile matches and to ensure those attending the match can enjoy the sporting occasion,” the force said in a statement.
“Given the events yesterday in Brussels, those attending the match can be reassured that they will see a highly visible policing presence. Officers are there to ensure the event passes off safely and provide reassurance to those attending.”
It comes after Belgian police shot and killed a 45-year-old Tunisian man suspected of gunning down two Swedish football fans in what authorities described as a “terrorist attack”.
Belgium's qualifier was abandoned at half-time after the killings, and the crowd was instructed to stay inside the stadium, before being evacuated.
Superintendent Gerry Parker, who will be the match commander for the England game, said: “We have been working with our partners, including the FA, in the weeks leading up to this match to ensure those attending the Wembley area enjoy this match.”
“Our officers are experienced in dealing with large-scale public order events, and a flexible plan is in place to reduce the likelihood of crime and disorder, and provide a timely response to any emerging incidents.
“Please ensure you arrive in good time for the match and remain vigilant throughout; if you see anything suspicious then flag it an officer or one of the match stewards immediately so the necessary action can be taken.”
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Police seal off an area in Schaerbeek near Brussels. A suspected gunman who allegedly shot dead two Swedish football fans in Belgium in what authorities said was a terrorist attack was then shot dead by police. Reuters -
A woman lays flowers in front of a sign which reads 'courage to the Swedish people' near the scene of the fatal shooting in Brussels. AP -
A bullet shattered glass on this office building in Brussels. AP -
Forensics officers search for evidence in the street. AFP -
Police officers enter a building in Schaerbeek. Reuters -
Police in the area where the shooting took place in the centre of Brussels. AP -
A police officer stand guards outside the King Baudouin Stadium, where Belgium v Sweden was abandoned at half-time once news of the fatal shooting had filtered through. AFP -
A view of the crime scene in the aftermath of the shooting. AFP -
Police officers stand guard as supporters leave the stadium. AFP -
Swedish supporters in the stands are distraught when they hear of the shooting. AFP -
Police forces secure the area. EPA -
Police and forensics officers work at the scene. EPA
Scotland will also face France in Lille on Tuesday.
Ahead of the game, French President Emmanuel Macron said that “all European states are vulnerable … there is a return of this Islamist terrorism”.
“We all have a vulnerability. It's what comes with being a democracy, a rule-of-law state where there are individuals who can decide at a given moment to commit the worst acts.”
His comments come after a teacher was stabbed to death in Arras, northern France, in a terror incident on October 14.
Mr Macron said had seen “no failures” by French security services before the stabbing at a high school.
