A TERROR expert has warned Edinburgh’s Military Tattoo could be a top target in the wake of June’s terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport.

Dr Peter Lehr, from the Centre for the Study of Terrorism at St Andrews University, said: “If a terrorist group ever wanted to strike in Edinburgh, they would do it now.”

Commenting on the participants of the Capital’s sell out military display, Dr Lehr added: “It’s true that they’re all in uniform and representatives of their regiments. From a terrorist's perspective, if you want to get media attention then striking at the military tattoo would certainly be something.”

The sell-out event, opening on August 3rd at Edinburgh Castle, will seat 9, 000 visitors each night, entertaining almost 220, 000 people over its three week run. Televised coverage ensures a worldwide audience of 100 million viewers.

A spokesperson from the Edinburgh Tattoo Company said: “We are protected by a combination of the Royal Military Police and Lothian and Borders Police. We’re well aware it’s an extremely high profile event but our security arrangements are always under review, taking into account the overall situation throughout the UK. What is of primary importance is the safety and security of the general public.”

The company refused to comment on whether its role as a military showpiece made the Tattoo a more probable target than other Festival events.

Responding to the question of whether Tattoo security had been stepped up since the London bombings of 7/7, and Glasgow Airport’s failed attack in June, their spokesperson added that although their policy was not to discuss security arrangements, suitable measures would be put in place accordingly.

Dr Lehr was in little doubt about the likely nature of such measures and added: “It would be manageable to screen the Tattoo because there are only so many entrances.”

The screening process would involve a bag-check for audience members on entry.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesperson said: “We would advise all those attending the Tattoo, wherever possible, to use public transport to and from each performance, co-operate with staff on duty— especially in relation to any searches being conducted— and ensure that no bags are left unattended whilst at the event.” 

Terror expert Dr Lehr was convinced more drastic measures will be employed in other Festival and Fringe events. He added: “It would be more difficult to screen people going to all the other events where the access is free and uncontrollable.”

He recommends having officers on patrol with sniffer dogs scanning for people who could have backpacks full of explosives. “I’m sure the police will use undercover agents in plain clothes mixing with the crowds to see if anybody is behaving in a suspicious fashion,” he added.

Meanwhile the Home Office has maintained a terror threat level of “severe”, one down from the highest possible “critical” level that followed June’s car-bomb finds in London and the burning car attack on Glasgow Airport.

The “severe” level is described by the Home Office as one where “an attack is highly likely.”

Dr Lehr was unequivocal in his view that the Glasgow incident marked a watershed in the way Scotland must now view terror. He said: “The IRA was at pains not to strike Scotland because they thought [Scotland] had sympathy for them. But that was a very special case indeed. It’s not the case with the jihadist terrorism nowadays. I think you shouldn’t be overconfident that it won’t happen anytime soon.”

Related links

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/security

www.edintattoo.co.uk