Cops beefing up security at London’s Gay pride over fears of a ‘copycat’ attack in wake of Pulse nightclub massacre
More officers drafted in after killings at gay club in Florida
POLICE in London are said to be beefing up their security at next weekend's Gay Pride events amid fears the celebrations could be hit by copycats following the mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando.
Extra cops are being drafted in for London's Gay Pride next Saturday - which already has the third biggest police presence of any UK annual event behind Notting Hill Carnival and New Year's Eve.
According to the Sunday Star, more officers are being brought in the p0lice the event as a result of the massacre at the gay nightclub Pulse in Florida last weekend in which 49 people were killed.
A police source told the paper: "No one is suggesting there will be an attack anything like the horrific tragedy that hit Orlando.
"But at the same time tensions are running high and some kind of copycat threat or homophobic attack is very possible."
They added: "Pride always has a huge police presence not only to protect revellers and supporters but also to show support for the march.
"Extra officers have been asked to work on a volunteer basis."
More than 40,000 people are expected to attend the Gay Pride March in the capital next weekend - with thousands more watching.
In the early hours of last Sunday morning cops gunned down ISIS fanatic Omar Mateen, 29, after he killed 49 and injured 53 in the worst mass-shooting in American history.
The gunman opened fire on the dance floor inside Pulse nightclub, Orlando, at around 2am.
Mateen is said to have become angered a few months before carrying out the mass killings after seeing two men kissing in Miami, according to his father.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.