
The attack in Magdeburg, Germany, where 5 people died, including a 9-year-old boy, seems to have alarmed governments in various countries.
Following the massacre at a Christmas market in the German city, the Italian Government is reworking plans on security measures to be taken during events planned for the Christmas holidays and in view of major events, such as the Jubilee in Rome.
In this context, a circular sent to prefects, commissioners and the public security department instructs increased "vigilance and control" in Christmas markets, as well as main tourist areas.
A previous circular, dated December 10, had ordered a strengthening of vigilance with special reference to the holidays and the beginning of the Jubilee and the opening of the Holy Door. Maximum vigilance at ports, airports, stations, tourist areas, religious objectives, especially Jewish ones. Both circulars recommend the modulation of services taking into account the “specificities of the territory”.
But after the attack in Magdeburg, a meeting of the strategic anti-terrorist analysis commission (Casa) was held at the Italian Interior Ministry, and in the afternoon, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi chaired a meeting with the leaders of the police forces.
During the meeting, the Magdeburg attack was initially analyzed based on the first elements that emerged thanks to the exchange of information between security agencies at the international level.
The head of the Ministry of Interior recommended that police forces pay maximum attention to protecting citizens from street events: Christmas markets, processions, jubilee ceremonies, concerts.
And measures should not only be taken in big cities, but also in small towns. The concern is the risk of a "lone wolf" being activated, in the absence of information about the activities of groups that threaten security.