Vienna police step up security following terror warning

BERLIN — Police in Vienna say they have stepped up security precautions after a warning to several European capitals about the possibility of an attack using explosives or firearms between the Christmas and New Year holiday period, but they see no need to call off any events.

Vienna police said in a statement Saturday that the tip from an unidentified “friendly” intelligence service came in the days before Christmas. It said authorities also were given several names of potential attackers, but examination of that list and other investigations brought no “concrete further results” so far.

Police spokesman Christoph Poelzl told the Austria Press Agency there was no concrete threat to a specific place at a particular time.

Police say they are stepping up surveillance of places where crowds are expected to gather, including transport interchanges.

Earlier this week, Belgian authorities charged a ninth person in connection with last month’s deadly Paris attacks on bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the national stadium, that left 130 dead.

The Paris attacks were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.