UK Edition
Theresa May urges Britons to enjoy Christmas and not be 'cowed by terrorists'
Theresa May has urged the public to enjoy Christmas and not to allow the terror attack in Berlin to stop them enjoying the festive holiday as usual.
The Prime Minister said it was important for Britons to send the world a message that "we will not be cowed by the terrorists".
Police in Germany are hunting a Tunisian man suspected of killing 12 people in what police believe was a terrorist attack in Berlin on Monday night.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Mrs May said concern over the incident should not deter people from enjoying the normal festivities.
She said: "Of course our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the terrible attack that took place in Berlin but Londoners should go about their business as usual. They should enjoy this Christmas period.
"It is important, I think, that we send a very clear message that we will not be cowed by the terrorists – that we will carry on with our lives as usual."
She also hailed Britain's security agencies as the "unsung heroes" and praised the police for the work they do keeping the public safe.
It comes after Andrew Parker, the MI5 chief, revealed that as many as 12 potential attacks had been thwarted in the last three years.
Mrs May said: "The security services and the police are working day in and day out to keep us safe.
"They are often unsung heroes but they are actually doing a very good job. However, they have to be vigilant all the time and we should be very grateful for the work they do."
Following the attack in Berlin, armed police patrols have been stepped up at Christmas markets in Britain.
Scotland Yard said on Tuesday it is reviewing its plans for "protecting public events" in London over Christmas and New Year following the "awful" targeting of festive shoppers, in which a lorry mounted the pavement at 40mph.
The security services have previously warned of the heightened risk of attacks on "large crowds of soft target civilians" by terrorists.