The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe met the French Ambassador on Monday to discuss co-operation over security and policing in the light of events in France last week and the current assessment similiar threats in the UK.
The meeting was arranged before the attack on Charlie Hebdo but provided an opportunity to share information and discuss the policing response to the French attacks.
The Commissioner offered his condolences to Sylvie Bermann and will sign the book at the French Embassy.
“I expressed my sympathies to the Ambassador at the loss of life in France. These attacks have brought us close together and we will make sure that we use every opportunity to cooperate to reduce the risk of further incidents, Commissioner Hogan-Howe said following the meeting. “It’s absolutely right that the threat level in the UK since last summer has recognised that an attack is highly likely.”
He added, “The MPS has worked with the intelligence services to foil several plots in London over the last few months, and I have said repeatedly that the drumbeat of terror has intensified. We are working with the government to review events in France to see what lessons may be learned, and whether there is anything additional we can do to reduce the risk of an attack in the UK.”
Earlier Monday, Prime Minister David Cameron held a security briefing with Home Secretary Theresa May, Defense Secretary Michael Fallons and Met Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan Howe in Downing Street.
Cameron reportedly asked the police and military to “continue to work closely together” to ensure that the police, who lead on counter-terror measures, can call on military back-up when needed across the country.
