Stay in your hotels, Britons are urged

BRITISH holidaymakers in Barcelona were told to stay in their hotels by the Foreign Office last night.

The warning came as it was claimed that the CIA warned that Las Ramblas was a terror target two months ago.

City authorities were reportedly told about the possibility of an attack at the tourist hotspot following six atrocities across Europe in which terrorists have used vehicles in the last year, claiming more than 100 lives.

CIA officers met the region’s local police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, to warn that Las Ramblas could be a target, Spanish newspaper El Periodico said.

The newspaper claimed: ‘The Central Intelligence Agency moved its notice to the Catalan autonomous police two months ago. It even put the focus on the Ramblas.’

Earlier in May, the US issued a new terror alert for Europe after attacks in London, Stockholm, Berlin and Nice.

Last night the Foreign Office said: ‘Local authorities have advised people to stay inside and stay away from the Las Ramblas area; if you’re in the immediate area you should take care and follow the advice of security authorities.’

More than 12million British nationals visit Spain every year, with Barcelona the most popular city destination. Advice from the Foreign Office warns: ‘Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain.’

It adds: ‘Attacks could be indiscriminate… you should be vigilant and follow the instructions of the local authorities.’