25 known terror suspects go ‘off the radar’ in France as fears grow of Euro 2016 attacks
Security chiefs raise concerns after jihadists give surveillance teams the slip
AT least 25 known terror suspects have gone “off radar” in France after giving surveillance teams the slip, worried security chiefs said last night.
They fear jihadists may launch lone wolf attacks or form cells to strike at the ten Euro 2016 host cities.
A French source said last night: “A group have disappeared. There is obvious concern.”
Germany star Jerome Boateng has told his wife and two children to stay home during the tournament so he will not worry about their safety and can concentrate on playing.
But England defender Chris Smalling said he was happy for his loved ones to attend games.
Meanwhile one host city, Lyon, was in “lockdown” last night as police held a major terror exercise.
Heavily armed special forces charged into the Fan Zone in the french city to tackle “a suicide bomber and two armed gun men.” The mock-terror attack was put on as a show of force by the French authorities at one of the Euros largest fan zones.
The drill included a bomb attack followed by armed gunmen at the city's fan zone where supporters will gather to watch matches live on a big screen.
Special forces secured the venue before emergency response teams treated the critically injured.
More than 90,000 security agents and police officers will be on duty in France during the tournament.
French police spokesman Michel Delpuech said: "The goal is not to do something spectacular or to demonstrate something, it is really to put the teams through very professional gestures, and sequences.
"Are we prepared? Well, I think this is exactly what we are showing tonight in Lyon, as well as in other big French cities.
"Yes, we are prepared, and as we have been preparing ourselves, as we are being vigilant, and as we are and remain lucid, we are serene, and as we are serene, the celebration will go on without any incident."
Earlier this week British fans travelling to the tournament were warned to remain "vigilant at all times" because of the terror threat.
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