New York’s famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off with the tightest security in its 91-year history
COUNTER-TERROR officers have deployed hi-tech radiation sensors at the annual Macy's parade in New York, amid fears ISIS militants could celebrate Thanksgiving with a nuclear terror attack.
Hundreds of armed cops are standing guard with fully automatic assault rifles, while specially-trained police marksmen are scanning the crowd for potential threats with cutting-edge sniper rifles.
Dozens of sand-filled sanitation lorries make for imposing barriers against Berlin-style truck massacres, as the NYPD prepares for the biggest security operation in the parade's 91-year history.
New York Mayor Bill Di Blasio said: "Every year the NYPD has done more to keep this event tonight and the parade itself safer.
"We understand we are dealing with a very challenging world. And so the amount of resources and personnel we put in has increased each year to make us safer."
Security officials claim there is no confirmation of a credible threat to the parade, but the parade comes just weeks after a truck killed eight people when it mowed down pedestrians near the World Trade Centre in October.
Weeks earlier, crazed Stephen Paddock killed 58 people when he gunned down revellers at a country music festival from a Las Vegas hotel room.
Police officers will escort each of the giant balloons to help monitor wind speeds and ensure the wafting characters don't go off course, but winds weren't expected to climb above 17 mph.
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The Macy's parade will make its way through 2.5 miles of Manhattan, complete with marching bands, performers from Broadway hits, elaborate floats and the signature giant balloons.
The balloons will feature Olaf from Disney hit "Frozen", Sponebob Squarepants, and a huge replica of Dr Seuss' Grinch.
The new security measures come after The Sun revealed that ISIS could be planning to target Brits trying to make the most of Black Friday deals.
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