UK beefs up security after report of IS bomb plot

The Sun claims undercover reporter helped foil attack, though police do not confirm story

By AP and ToI Staff 27 June 2015, 2:51 pm
Blood and material on the ground near the area where a terror attack took place in Sousse, Tunisia, Friday June 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)
Injured people are treated near the area where a terror attack took place in Sousse, Tunisia, Friday June 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)
Bodies on a Tunisian beach in the immediate aftermath of a June 26, 2015 terrorist attack (YouTube screenshot)
Investigating police officers work outside the plant where a terrorist attack took place, Friday, June 26, 2015 in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, southeast of Lyon, France. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
French President Francois Hollande delivers a statement during an EU summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 26, 2015. (AFP PHOTO/ ALAIN JOCARD)
Scene of suspected terror attack in Grenoble, France, June 26, 2015 (Sky News Screenshot)
Kuwaiti men react at the site of a suicide bombing that targeted the Shiite Al-Imam al-Sadeq mosque during Friday prayers on June 26, 2015, in Kuwait City. (AFP PHOTO / YASSER AL-ZAYYAT)
Kuwaiti security personnel and medical staff carry a man on a stretcher at the site of a suicide bombing that targeted the Shiite Al-Imam al-Sadeq mosque after it was targeted by a suicide bombing during Friday prayers on June 26, 2015, in Kuwait City. (AFP PHOTO / STR)
A picture taken from the Turkish side of the border in Suruc, Sanliurfa province, shows Turkish soldiers standing guard (Front) as Syrian Kurds wait behind the barbed wired on the Syrian side after they fled the Syrian town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, on June 26, 2015, a day after a deadly suicide bombing occurred in the town. At least 120 civilians have been killed by the Islamic State group since it entered the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobane just over 24 hours ago, a monitoring group said. (AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC)
Somali soldiers stand near the wreckage at the scene of a suicide car bomb attack which targeted a convoy of foreign officials, in Mogadishu, Somalia on Wednesday, June 24, 2015. (AP Photo)
An ambulance waits in Suruc in Turkey's in Sanliurfa province to transport wounded people near the Syrian border town of Kobane on June 25, 2015. (AFP)

LONDON — British authorities said they are stepping up security at events marking Armed Forces Day across the country amid a news report that officials foiled a bomb attack by the Islamic State group on a military parade in London.

The UK announcement followed attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait on Friday.

The Sun newspaper claimed police foiled an attack on a London parade Saturday after an undercover reporter who obtained details on the plot alerted counter-terrorism officials.

According to the Sun, an IS official told the reporter: “”It will be big. We will hit the (unbelievers) hard, God willing. Hit their soldiers in their own land.”

Police did not confirm the report, saying only that security forces “remain alert to terrorist threats” and that it was “helpful” when journalists share information.

Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters there will be “heightened security” at events paying tribute to Britain’s military. He did not elaborate.

Police said security is also being beefed up for the annual gay pride parade in London Saturday.

Britain’s terrorism threat remains at “severe,” the second-highest level, meaning an attack is considered highly likely.

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