Resorts in fear of copycat jihadis Police warn tourists of worst terror threat for a generation

HOLIDAYMAKERS were warned of the risk of copycat terror attacks last night as a police chief said Europe faced its ‘highest threat for a generation’.

Two attacks within hours hit Barcelona and a nearby beach resort, killing at least 14 – including grandparents, parents and children as young as three.

Kent-born Julian Cadman, seven, was feared to be among the dead after his family said he had not been seen since Thursday’s attack on Las Ramblas, when a rented Fiat van ploughed through crowds, killing at least 13 and injuring more than 100.

Security experts warned the heightened risk was ‘the new normal’ as attacks in European cities including London have proved terrorists can strike anywhere.

Rob Wainwright, head of European police agency Europol, said: ‘Terrorism at its most simple and brutal. And highly challenging for police to stop. Highest threat in Europe for a generation.’

Security sources said there were fears the

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The National Police Chiefs’ Council urged people to watch a film containing tips of how to survive a Tunisia-style attack, including a warning to ‘run, hide, tell’ in the event of a weapons or firearms assault.

It also emerged that 23,000 holiday reps have received terror training on how to spot suspicious behaviour and identify potential suspects and plots. Security expert Will Geddes said: ‘These attacks can occur anywhere, it can be a beach or a city. These risks are the new normal.

‘That doesn’t mean we should not go to these places, but we need to apply common sense. There is nowhere that is exempt.’

The Foreign Office updated its advice for Spain to warn terror attacks were ‘likely’ and could target popular holiday destinations.

The two attacks in Spain have been claimed by Islamic State.

Details have begun to emerge of the 14 victims killed in the two incidents, including a three-yearold Spanish boy, an Italian fatherof-two killed in front of his wife and children and a Belgian mother on holiday with her family. The Queen sent a message of sympathy to the King of Spain, saying: ‘It is deeply upsetting when innocent people are put at risk in this way when going about their daily lives.’ Theresa May confirmed that a number of British people had been caught in the attack. Fears were growing for missing seven-year- old Julian Cadman, whose mother suffered serious injuries in the Barcelona attack and has been found in hospital. In a defiant show of solidarity, the heart of Barcelona came back to life just hours after Thursday’s devastating attacks. Hundreds flocked to Las Ramblas to pay tribute to the dead. Crowds gathered for a minute’s silence led by prime minister Mari- ano Rajoy and Spain’s King Felipe in the Placa de Catalunya – yards from the scene of the attack – at noon yesterday.

Later, marchers burst into spontaneous rounds of applause, chanting, ‘ I’m not afraid,’ as they made their way down the bustling tourist hotspot, which is packed with bars, restaurants and market stalls.

The crowds laid flowers and lit candles while an impromptu rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine broke out at a vigil for the victims. The boulevard reopened at around 8am yesterday, whereas London’s Borough Market – the scene of June’s terror attack – remained closed for 11 days.

‘These risks are the new normal’