Canada updates U.K. travel advisory due to threat of terrorism, residents to exercise ‘high degree of caution’

The Canadian government on Wednesday suggested residents exercise “a high degree caution” if visiting the United Kingdom due to the threat of terrorism.

The advisory issued Tuesday stated to exercise caution when travelling to the U.K. It was updated Wednesday to include the threat of terrorism in Europe where previous attacks have resulted in casualties. The incidents have predominantly occurred in the London area.

Further attacks are likely, the advisory states. Targets could include:

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  government buildings, including schools
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  places of worship
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  airports and other transportation hubs and networks
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  public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

The national terrorism and national emergency threat level in the U.K. is currently 3 (substantial) and 4 (severe) in Northern Ireland on a scale of 5.

The ongoing demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and police are also included in the travel advisory.

“Demonstrations take place regularly. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time,” the government wrote in its updated U.K. travel page. “Past violent clashes between protestors and security forces have resulted in assaults, riots, looting and vandalism. Protests can deteriorate quickly. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.”

The government advised Canadians to:

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  Avoid areas where demonstrations, protests and large gatherings are taking place
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  Exercise caution
• 
  Expect an increased security force presence in areas where demonstrations are taking place
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  Follow the instructions of local authorities
• 
  Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Violence between protesters and police began after a knife attack that killed three girls between six and nine on July 29 in Southport, a seaside town north of Liverpool. Eight other children and two adults were injured.

Police detained a 17-year-old suspect. Rumours, later debunked, quickly circulated on social media that the suspect was an asylum-seeker or a Muslim immigrant.

The next day, as people gathered to comfort one another and lay flowers at the site, hundreds of protesters attacked a local mosque with bricks, bottles and rocks. Police said the rioters were “believed to be supporters of the English Defence League,” a far-right group that has organized anti-Muslim protests since 2009.

Since then, hundreds of protesters have been arrested, and the U.K. government has pledged that rioters will feel “the full force of the law” after hurling bricks and other projectiles at police, looting shops and attacking hotels used to house asylum-seekers.

With files from The Associated Press