HUNDREDS of potential terrorists are being closely monitored for any sign they could attack COP26, according to reports.
More than 800 potential terrorists are reportedly "being watched" ahead of the conference, which kicks off next week, with military intelligence expert Philip Ingram telling the Sunday Mail that the summit will be a “very ripe target” for terrorists with “high potential” for an attack.
Delegates including US President Joe Biden will attend the conference in Glasgow from next week.
“It will not just attract Islamist terrorists, it’s good for right-wing terrorists, the extreme left and for eco-terrorists – it is a big target, a very ripe target, and the potential for an attack is high," Ingram told the Sunday Mail.
“From the contingency planning perspective, this will be beyond the capability of Police Scotland. In the background, you will have the security service with surge capability.
“Anyone on the terror watchlist – as of today there are probably 800 active investigations into people who could be preparing attacks – the security service will have maximum capability to watch for any indications they might be moving towards threatening COP26.
“Backing that up there will be support from the MoD, with special forces allocated to reinforce the police.”
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins commented: “There is no specific threat. We have a number of mitigations in place as well as contingency plans we can implement immediately if required.”
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