FIREARM UNITS ALERT
Tragic Nick’s sis in Bataclan return
THE sister of a British victim of the Paris terror attacks has said his family plans to return to the scene of his death.
Nick Alexander, 35, died when Isis terrorists stormed the Bataclan theatre a year ago today, killing 89 people.
The fanatics carried out a series of coordinated attacks across the French capital, claiming the lives of 130 victims. Nick, from Essex, was a roadie with US band Eagles of Death Metal. His sister Zoe Alexander, 43, said: “We’ve been back to Paris, we haven’t been to the Bataclan but we will be going at some point.
“I think it’s important we go, for closure and to support live music.
“It’s important on a personal level and a more expanded level ISOBEL DICKINSON that the industry must continue. Live music must go on, and we will not be cowed by what’s happened.” Last night, Sting performed at the Bataclan as people left flowers and candles in memory of the victims.
A gig celebrating Nick’s life will be held in London on Tuesday. It will feature music from Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes, Travis frontman Fran Healy and rockers Maximo Park. It will also mark the launch of The Nick Alexander Memorial Trust in his honour. It aims to provide musical equipment to small charities and vulnerable groups. Zoe, pictured with Nick, added: “I have hugely mixed feelings going into the weekend but the concert has been a hugely positive focus for us, as is the charity we set up. “Going into the weekend marking this terrible event, we are not letting it define us. “It’s positive for the future, and the charity can carry on Nick’s legacy. “We are very grateful for the support everybody has given. I think it’s going to be uplifting, emotional, but a really special and hopefully fitting tribute to everyone who was at the Bataclan.” EVERY police force in England and Wales will have access to highly trained counter-terrorist firearms units.
They will have state-of-the-art weapons and be drilled to carry out SAS-style raids against extremists.
We can reveal that the move comes in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris and Brussels.
Until now only larger police forces, PATRICK WILLIAMS including the Met in London, Greater Manchester and Thames Valley Police have had specialist counter-terrorist (CT) firearms officers.
But sources have told the Daily Star Sunday all 43 forces in England and Wales will get access to them.
While smaller constabularies such as Dorset and Devon and Cornwall may share armed units, most will have their own. Officers will be ready to deploy around the clock.
Last week members of the new CT teams were training in London, where they were using their skills to abseil from helicopters and storm buildings in mock attacks.
Police will also be trained in hostage rescue operations and to carry out sniper attacks against armed terrorists.
One source said: “Up until now the Met has led the way in counter-terrorist operations but every police force must be able to respond to a terrorist incident.
“MI5 believes that jihadists are now based in every major town and city in the UK. They are hiding in plain sight. No one knows where they will strike next.
“Police can no longer wait for the SAS or the Met’s specialist counterterrorist teams to get them out of trouble.” The CT teams will be equipped with SIG 516 semi-automatic carbines and Glock 9mm pistols.
Some forces plan to copy the Met and have armed officers capable of racing to the scene of any potential incident onboard specially adapted BMW motorcycles.
Riding pillion, the officers will be able to cut through heavy traffic on the all-terrain bikes which are capable of reaching 120mph.
The police will also be trained to carry out waterborne assaults from rigid hulled inflatable vessels and even abseil into situations from hovering helicopters.